THE  PAGEANT  OF  THE 
ILLINOIS  COUNTRY 


BY 


WALLACE  RICE 


Consisting  of  Five  Parts,  a  Sixth  Part  to  be  Written  from  Local  History. 

Intended  for  Use  Throughout  the  State  in  County 

and  Local  Celebrations. 


ISSUED  BY  THE 


ILLINOIS  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION 


[Printed  by  authority  of  th«  State  of  Illinois.] 


LI  B  R.AR.Y 

OF  THE 

U  NIVERSITY 
OF    ILLINOIS 


IIUNOB  HISTORICAL  SURVEY 


THE  PAGEANT  OF  THE 
ILLINOIS  COUNTRY 


BY 


WALLACE  RICE 


Consisting  of  Five  Parts,  a  Sixth  Part  to  be  Written  from  Local  History. 

Intended  for  Use  Throughout  the  State  in  County 

and  Local  Celebrations. 


ISSUED  BY  THE 


ILLINOIS  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION 


[Printed  by  authority  of  the  State  of  Illinois.] 


PRINTED  BY 

THE  ILLINOIS  STATE  JOURNAL  Co.,  STATE  PRINTERS 
SPRINGFIELD,  ILLINOIS 

(7031-4M) 


THE  PAGEANT  OF  THE  ILLINOIS  COUNTRY 


SCENE  I  — THE  COURAGE  OF  TONTY 


Persons  of  the  scene: 

HENRY  DE  TONTY,  a  captain  of  France. 

Father  ZENOBE  MEMBRE,  a  Kecollect  friar. 

Father  GABRIEL  RIBOURDE,  a  Kecollect  friar. 

The  Sieur  DE  BOISRONDET,  lieutenant  to  Tonty. 

L'ESPERANCE,,  servant  to  Tonty. 

ETIENNE  RENAULT,  a  soldier,  lately  of  Paris. 

CHASSAGOAC,  chief  of  the  Illinois. 

THE    ONONDAGA    CHIEF. 
THE   SENECA    CHIEF. 
THE    CAHOKIA. 
THE    MICHIGAMI. 
THE    SHAWANOE. 
THE   MOHAWK. 
THE    CAYUGA. 

Illinois  Braves,  Squaws,  Maidens,  Boys,  and  Girls. 
Iroquois  Braves,  two  disguised  as  Frenchmen. 


TRUMPETERS  come  forth,  upon  the  instrument  of  one  the  Illinois  State 
Banner,  upon  that  of  the  other  the  Illinois  Centennial  Banner,  flourish 
to  command  attention,  and  step  back  to  await  the  close  of  the  Proces- 
sion. 

From  the  left  of  the  stage  enter  the  PERSONS  OF  THE  PROCESSION  to* 
music,  and  pass  off  right,  as  follows: 

Persons  of  the  procession  : 

The  Mound  Builders,  tall  figures  in  long  cloaks,  with  shrouded  faces, 

bearing  aloft  a  gilded  sun  in  splendor. 
Indian  Chiefs  and  Braves,  arrayed  for  war. 
French  Woodrunners,  with  light  canoes  and  paddles,  with  bales  of  trade 

goods,  and  articles  of  trade,  some  of  them  fiddling  and  capering. 
Louis  Joliet,  with  Father  Jacques  Marquette  in  his  long  robe,  escorted 

by  a  few  French  Soldiers. 
Robert  Cavelier  Sieur  de  la  Salle  and  Father  Louis  Hennepin,  followed 

by  Captain  Henri  de  Tonty  with  more  French  Soldiers  bearing  the 

azure  flag  of  France  with  golden  lilies. 


/O  59929 


Fathers  Zenobc  Membre  and  Gabriel  Ribourde  in  full  canonicals.,  one 
bearing  a  cross  of  boughs,  the  other  the  sacred  vessels,  preceded  by 
Indian  Braves  with  bowed  heads  and  arms  crossed  upon  their  breasts, 
followed  by  Indian  Boys  with  smoking  censers,  and  by  Indian  Squaws, 
Maidens,  Boys,  and  Girls,  all  singing  the  "Yoxilla  Regis." 

The  Trti  in /n't  cr.^  cloxc  I  In'  //rocexxion,  escorting  Prologue.  They  How 
their  tnunpelx  a*  before,  and  retire. 

PROLOGUE 

I  >ark  centuries  with  noiseless  steps  pace  down 

Time's  corridors.     In  silence  there  are  lost 

All  who  with  human  eyes  first  marveled  here ; 

And  gone  the  very  names  of  those  great  ones 

Who  here  •  from  Mother  Earth  once  heaved  huge  mounds 

In  everlasting  worship  to  the  skies. 

Then,  mark  ye,  lovers  of  our  Illinois, 

iS'ow  met  in  piety  for  her  dear  sake, 

Fair  France  comes  smiling  down  our  azure  streams, 

Whose  golden  lilies  spell  her  ancient  flag: 

Hardy  woodrunners,  merchants  sane  and  wise, 

Soldiers,  gentlemen,  fearless  warriors 

Who,  Cross  in  hand,  bring  to  uncharted  lands 

The  loving  message  of  an  unseen  God. 

They  find,  as  fierce  as  hungry  panthers  here, 

Restless  as  bison,  hordes  of  savages 

Painted  like  fiends,  and  yet  with  souls  to  save. 

These  shall  ye  see  and,  with  them,  Tonty  see, 

That  iron-handed,  silver-hearted  man. 

The  first  of  all  our  line  to  live  his  life 

Beside  the  rivers  of  the  Illinois. 


As  the  rising  lights  discover  ike  scene,  they  disclose  the  Indian  village 
as  it  stood  near  the  present  town  of  Utica  in  La  Salle  county,  with, 
late  summer  bright  in  the  air  of  September  in  the  year  1680.  ~\Yig- 
wams,  arched  and  long  like  the  cover  of  a  pioneer  waggon,  lie  to  the 
upper  left.  Their  ends  are  open,  through  which  may  b&  seen  savage 
men,  lailooed  and  painted.  I/ere  throwing  cherry  stones  in  some  gam- 
bling gam  I',  there  droirxi/i;/  in  flic  heat,  here  a  lover  and  his  ma 
blissful  silence,  there  braves  attending  to  their  bows  and  spears.  Be- 
yond, squaws  are  tending  the  yellowing  cornfields,  while  boys  duller 
sticks  together  to  keep  away  the  persistent  crows.  The  picture  is  popu- 
lous and  peaceful. 

The  wigwam  of  the  French  stands  left  of  center,  near  it  a  portable  forge 
with  various  tools  about  it.  Bales  of  trade  goods  are  piled  around. 
The  four  French  laymen  are  busy  in  and  out  of  their  lodge,  arranging 
their  belongings. 

Indian  children,  the  girls  with  stalks  of  maize,  the  boys  with  sticks  which 
Ihei/  clatter  to  the  rhythm  of  the  chant,  come  down  and  dance  the  corn 
dance,  singing  the  while. 


THE   BOYS 

We  scare  off  the  cawing  crows 
Where  the  ripening  cornstalk  grows — 
Xot  a  grain  for  a  greedy  maw, 
Rattling  sticks,  as  the  crows  cry  '"Caw." 

THE  GIRLS 

We  bring  home  the  tasseled  ear ; 
Shock  and  shuck  and  make  good  cheer; 
Then  we  grind  for  the  brave  and  squaw, 
Pound  and  grind,  as  the  crows  cry  "Caw." 

THE  BOYS   AND  GIRLS 

Dance  and  sing  for  the  yellow  corn ; 
So  are  peace  and  plenty  bom ; 
Xever  famine  and  hunger  gnaw ; 
Dance  and  sing,  as  the  crows  cry  "Caw." 

[A  young  Cahokia  conic*  /»  Hie  French  lodge,  bearing  in  his  hands 
a  lump  of  soft  coal. 

TIM:  CAILOKIA.     Captain  de  Tonty,  I  bring  to  thee  a  stone,  black  like  the 

crow,  that  burneth  like  dry  wood  of  the  forest. 

[TONTY  takes  the  lump  of  coal  from  the  CAIIOKIA.  and  iL'ith  the 
other  FRENCHMEN  rises  and  goes  to  the  front  of  tlie  lodge  to  ex- 
amine it. 

TONTY.  Why,  it  is  coal;  a  soft  kind  of  sea  coal  that  dirties  the  fingers 
(to  the  Cahokia) — my  fingers,  not  thine.  (Handing  it  to  Boisrondet). 
Here,  dirty  thine  with  it,  lieutenant. 

BOISRONDET.  It  is  of  a  certainty  sea  coal,  captain.  And  will  it  burn? 
RENAULT.  Why  not  try  it  in  the  forge,  captain? 

TONTY.     A  good  thought.     Take  it  and  try  it,  L'Esperance. 

|  T/if  FOU;  go  over  to  the  forge,  and  L'ESPKRANCE  begins  'working 
I  hi'-  belloivs. 

L^ESPERANCE.     There  is  fire  still  here.    See,  it  burns. 

BENAULT.  Ali,  Inn  it  hath  an  evil  smell.  There  be  places  in  Paris  that 
smell  thus. 

BOISRONDET.     Many  have  left  Paris  for  less. 

TONTY.  Vesuvius  smelleth  so  when  he  smelleth  ill.  (To  the  Cahokia). 
Where  gottest  thou  this  ? 

THE  CAIIOKIA.  There  be  pits  of  it  by  the  Arimoni,  the  river  which  II  ow- 
eth  red,  whence  it  cometh. 

L'ESPERANCE.     It  seemeth  to  make  a  hot  fire. 

BOISRONDET.  But  an  ill  smelling  fire.  It  smelleth  like  an  Indian  lie- 
times. 


6 

TONTY.     Nay,  Boisrondet ;  not  so  ill  as  that. 

RENAULT.     Ha !     I  smell  one  now.     He  snaelleth  near. 

[CHASSAGOAC  comes  to  them.     The  CAHOKIA  goes  away. 

TONTY.  Xow  the  greetings  of  a  fine  September  morn  to  thee,  0  Chief 
Chassagoac. 

CHASSAGOAC.  The  sun  smileth  in  the  sky,  the  corn  smileth  to  the  shock, 
and  thou  smilest  like  them,  0  Captain  de  Tonty. 

TONTY.  Thy  words  befit  the  sun  and  sky,  0  chief,  for  they,  too,  smile; 
and  so  doth  the  coal  here  upon  the  forge. 

CHASSAGOAC.  Ah,  the  black  stone  of  fire !  It  giveth  heat  a-plenty,  but 
it  smelleth  ill  in  the  lodge  fire;  the  more  if  rain  chance  to  be  falling. 
Ha,  what  is  this ! 

[There  is  an  outcry,  right,  taken  up  by  several  voices,  and  thd 
village  begins  instantly  to  stir.  The  BOYS,  GIRLS,  SQUAWS,  and 
several  of  the  older  WARRIORS  rise  and  run  toward  it.  The  group 
at  the  forge  screen  their  eyes  and  gaze  in  the  direction  of  the 
disturbance. 

BOISRONDET.     One  in  hot  haste  paddleth  across  the  river. 

CHASSAGOAC.  He  giveth  the  sign  of  war  and  a  hastening  enemy.  Aho, 
my  braves,  aho-ho-ho! 

[The  BRAVES,  seizing  their  weapons,  come,  running  to  him,  the 

CAHOKIA  and  MICHIGAMI  with  them. 

THE  CAHOKIA.     He  is  not  an  Illinois,  0  Chassagoac. 

THE  MICHIGAMI.  It  is  my  friend  the  Shawanoe.  He  hath  been  to  the 
lodges  of  his  fathers  near  the  rising  sun  afar. 

MANY  VOICES.     The  Iroquois !     The  Iroquois ! 

CHASSAGOAC.  The  Iroquois  come,  and  alas !  a-many  of  my  young  war- 
riors are  far  away;  they  have  taken  the  war-path  toward  the  setting  sun. 

MANY  VOICES  (as  the  crowd  gathers).  The  Iroquois  are  upon  us.  Our 
best  warriors  are  gone. 

A  VOICE  (above  the  rest).     The  French  have  done  this.     We  are  betrayed. 

MANY  VOICES.  The  French  are  traitors  and  spies.  The  French  be- 
tray us. 

SQUAWS  (running  in  from  the  fields).  The  French  betray  us.  Burn 
them  !  Torture  them ! 

THE  SHAWANOE  (running  in  from  the  right).  0  Chassagoac,  the  Iro- 
quois come  !  (His  words  are  taken  up  and  repeated).  The  Miamis  come 
with  thorn.  There  be  a  score  of  scores  of  Iroquois  and  fivescore  more. 
There  be  fivescore-  Miami's.  They  have  thunder-and-lightning  sticks. 
They  have  long  knives  of  the  steel  that  biteth  like  fire. 


THE  MICTIIGAMI.     It  is  the  French  who  have  given  them  these. 
SQUAWS.     The  French  betray  us.     Burn  them  !     Torture  them ! 

THE  SHAWAXOE.  Aye:  there  be  French  with  them — two  in  French  gar- 
ments. Aye ;  and  one  is  a  Long  Eobe  and  one  is  La  Salle  himself. 

BOISROXDET.  Thou  liest,  thou  dog!  Thy  tongue  is  forked  like  the 
snake's. 

TOXTY.     Silence,  young  sir !     Our  lives  hang  on  a  word. 

BOISROXDET.     Ah,  but  the  lie — a  priest — and  La  Salle ! 

[The  crown  of  INDIANS  surges  toward  the  FRENCH,  who  take  a 
step  toward  them  with  ready  weapons. 

CHASSAGOAC.  (stepping  between).  Touch  them  not!  They  are  the 
friends  and  countrymen  of  my  friend,  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle. 

[Baffled  in  their  attack,  BRAVES  and  SQUAWS  seize  the  forge,  th& 
tools,  the  bales  of  French  goods  and  run  off  with  them,  right. 

BRAVES  and  SQUAWS  (as  they  run).     To  the  river!     To  the  river! 
RENAULT.     I  have  seen  little  worse  in  Paris. 

I/ESPERANCE.  There  goeth  the  forge.  Ah,  they  have  burnt  themselves 
with  the  coal.  Good  ! 

TOXTY.     What  the  French  thief  did  not  steal,  the  Indian  fool  destroyeth. 

BRAVES  and-  SQUAWS  (running  lack).  The  French  betray  us.  Burn 
them  !  Torture  them  ! 

BOISRONDET.     Canst  thou  not  bespeak  them  with  fair  words,  my  captain  ? 

TONTY  (making  himself  heard).     No  French  are  with  the  Iroquois. 
MANY  VOICES.     There  are!     There  are!     The  Shawanoe  saw  them. 

TONTY.  Xo  Shawanoe  saw  them,  for  no  French  are  with  the  Iroquois. 
The  French  are  with  the  Illinois.  The  French  are  with  the  Illinois — 
here — now.  Do  French  fight  with  French  ?  See,  we  will  fight  with  you 
against  the  Iroquois. 

CHASSAGOAC.  Hear  the  great  words  of  the  French  captain.  He  will 
fight  with  the  Illinois  against  the  Iroquois. 

TONTY  (to  the  Shawanoe).  Thou  fool,  if  a  dog  of  an  Iroquois  weareth 
a  hat,  and  another  dog  of  an  Iroquois  weareth  a  long  robe,  are  these 
made  French  thereby?  Thine  eyes  are  the  eyes  of  a  mole.  Go  to  the 
hawk  and  get  thee  seeing  eyes.  The  proof  ?  We,  the  French,  go  to  fight 
against  the  Iroquois. 

[The  SHAWANOE  is  abashed,  and  hands  are  raised  to  strike  him  as 

he  slinks  out  of  the  crowd. 

CHASSAGOAC  (holding  up  Tonty's  gloved  hand).  See,  ye  braves,  here  is 
the  hand  of  magic  that  fights  for  the  Illinois;  who  can  withstand  it? 
The  eagles  with  the  eagles  will  fight  the  ravening  wolves.  Dance  the 
dance  of  war  therefore.  (To  the  Oahokia).  Do  thou  take  men  and  bear 


8 

a  watch  against  the  coming  of  the  wolves.     And  now,  ye  eagles,  to  the 

dance! 

[The  CAHOKIA  takes  several  BRAVES  and  goes  out,  right.  The 
FRENCH  go  to  their  lodge  and  prepare  for  battle,  loading  their 
muskets,  seeing  to  the  sharpness  of  their  swords,  and  the  like. 
The  tom-toms  begin  to  beat,  and  the  ILLINOIS  BRAVES,  the  SQUAWS 
howling  an  accompaniment,  begin  to  dance  and  sing. 

THE  ILLINOIS 

This  poor  form  Now  seek  I 

I  cast  away,  The  path  of  war. 

Thus  become  Skies  are  fair —       . 

Lacking  fear.  On  I  go. 

Aho-ho-ho !  Aho-ho-ho ! 

As  the  sun  Manitou, 

Is  clear  at  morn  0  hear  my  prayer : 

May  I  shine  Bring  my  arm 

Clear  and  bright.  Victory. 

Aho-ho-ho !  Aho-ho-ho ! 

[There  is  an  outcry,  right,  and  the  CAHOKIA  and  his  BRAVES  run 
in  from  the  right,  breathless. 
THE  CAHOKIA.     The  Iroquois  are  upon  us ! 

THE  BRAVES.     The  Iroquois  are  upon  us !     The  Iroquois  are  here ! 

THE  CAHOKIA.     Two  of  the  Iroquois  wear  French  garments.     But  they 
are  not  French;  they  are  Iroquois. 

CHASSAGOAC.     French  do  not  fight  with  French.     But  the  magic  hand 

will  fight  with  the  French  against  the  Iroquois. 

[The  ILLINOIS  align  themselves,  left,  in  front  of  their  lodges,  the 
SQUAWS  and  BOYS  and  GIRLS  behind  the  BRAVES,  the  FRENCH  with 
CHASSAGOAC  in  their  center.     The  SQUAWS  begin  to  wail. 
[Enter,  right,  the  IROQUOIS,  who  take  the  lower  right  of  the  stage 
and  begin  to  sing  and  dance. 

THE  IROQUOIS 

Eagles  dart  Tempests  roar 

Thro'  the  sky;  On  their  breath;    • 

Fierce  their  heart,  Sweeping  o'er, 

Loud  their  cry.  Bringing  death. 

Red  their  claw,  Eagle  War, 

Eed  their  beak,  Red  mine  ire, 

Wide  their  craw —  Screaming  for 

Hear  them  shriek  !  Blood  and  fire ! 

CHASSACO  \r.     Howl,  ye  wolves,  while  ye  may.     Soon  shall  be  whine  and 
whimper.     For  we  are  the  eagles,  not  ye,  ye  wolves! 

TMK  ONONDACA  CHIEF.     Eagles ?     Ye!     Ye  are  but  the  green  bitterns 
that  fly  up  the  creek.     Full  soon  shall  ye  fly,  afeared. 


THE  SENECA  CHIEF.     Aye,  we  are  the  wolves,  and  we  are  come  to  gnaw 

your  bones. 

[With  wild  whoops  and  much  brandishing  of  weapons,  the  ILLI- 
NOIS and  the  IROQUOIS  rush  at  one  another,  but  do  not  actually 
engage.  They  retreat  a  step. 

TONTY  (to  Boisrondet).  It  will  fare  ill  with  our  friends.  The  Iroquois 
and  Miamis  have  six  hundred  braves,  and  the  young  warriors  of  the 
Illinois  are  far  away.  I  must  bespeak  them  before  it  is  too  late.  Chief 
Chassagoac,  give  me  the  sacred  wampum.  Come,  Boisrondet,  and  thou 
too,  young  Cahokia. 

[TONTY  gives  his  sward  to  RENAULT,  his  musket  to  L'ESPERANCE, 
takes  the  wampum  from  CHASSAGOAC  and,  holding  it  aloft,  ad- 
vances between  the  ILLINOIS  and  IROQUOIS. 

BOISRONDET.     Oh,  go  not  forth,  my  captain.     It  is  death. 
TONTY.     Death  is  for  those  that  wait,  as  for  those  that  do. 
BOISRONDET.     Then  will  I  die  with  thee. 

TONTY.  Ho,  ye  Iroquois,  make  ye  war  with  France?  Ho,  ye  Iroquois, 
make  ye  war  with  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle  ?  Ho,  ye  Senecas,  ye  Onondagas, 
ye  Oneidas,  ye  Cayugas,  ye  Mohawks,  ye  Miamis,  make  ye  war  with 
Onontio,  the  Mountain? 

[As  TONTY,  BOISRONDET,  and  the  CAHOKIA  advance,  several  of  the 
IROQUOIS  drop  to  one  knee  and  level  their  muskets  at  them. 

THE  MOHAWK.     He  is  but  an  Illinois.     Shoot  him ! 

THE  CAYUGA.     Nay,  his  ears  are  not  pierced.     He  is  a  Frenchman. 

TONTY.  Go  back,  Boisrondet.  Go  back,  young  Cahokia.  It  is  enough 
that  I  shall  be  slain. 

[The  OAHOKIA  runs  back  to  the  Illinois,  capering. 
BOISRONDET.     Oh,  but,  my  captain,  I  may  not  leave  thee,  now. 

TONTY.     Go!     I  command. 

[BOISRONDET  walks  sloivly  back,  facing  the  Iroquois,  his  musket 
ready  to  level. 

BOISRONDET.     I  had  never  thought  to  leave  him. 

[The  IROQUOIS  BRAVES  cluster  about  TONTY,  threateningly. 

THE  IROQUOIS  BRAVES.     Slay  him  !     Burn  him  !     Torture  him ! 
THE  MOHAWK  (stabbing  TONTY  from  the  side).     Die  like  a  dog. 

TONTY  (recovering  and  holding  up  the  wampum).  Know,  ye  Iroquois, 
that  ye  are  at  peace  with  France.  Know,  ye  Iroquois,  that  France  hath 
taken  the  Illinois  to  be  her  children.  Know,  ye  Iroquois,  that  as  ye 
are  peace  with  France,  so  must  ye  be  at  peace  with  the  Illinois.  Know, 
ye  Iroquois,  that  Tonty,  the  friend  of  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  speaketh. 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.     How  sayest  thou  so  ?     Art  thou  not  an  Illinois  ? 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  Are  the  ears  of  an  Illinois  unpierced,  0  chief? 
See  with  thine  own  eyes. 


10 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.     It  is  true.     His  ears  are  unpierced. 

[The  MOHAWK,  pulled  away  by  the  CAYUGA,  returns,  grabs  Tonty's 
hat  from  his  head  and  raises  it  on  his  musket  aloft.  The  ILLINOIS 
and  IROQUOIS  begin  prancing  and  whooping  again  at  the  front* 
The  CAYUGA  pulls  down  the  hat  and  musket,  and  strikes  at  the 
MOHAWK.  As  the  hat  comes  down,  the  demonstration  at  the 
front  ceases. 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  0  Mohawk,  set  back  the  Frenchman's  hat.  It 
is  thy  life  if  thou  touchest  him  again.  I  am  his  friend. 

TONTY.  As  there  is  no  war  between  France  and  the  Iroquois,  so  there 
must  be  no  war  between  the  Iroquois  and  the  Illinois,  0  ye  Iroquois 
chieftains. 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  How  sayest  thou  so,  0  Frenchman?  Who  shall 
say  nay  to  the  panther  on  the  trail  of  blood  and  a-hungered? 

TONTY.  If  thou  wilt  have  war,  0  Seneca  chief,  know  that  threescore 
scores  of  Illinois  braves  await  thee.  If  thou  must  have  war,  0  Seneca 
chief,  know  that  threescore  Frenchmen  have  been  sent  for  and  are  coming 
over  yonder  ridge.  Barest  thou  war  with  mighty  France  ? 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  This  is  the  friend  of  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  0 
Seneca  chief,  and  I  am  the  friend  of  the  Sieur  de  La  Salle,  as  thou 
knowest.  I  am,  then,  the  friend  of  this  Frenchman  here. 

[The  MOHAWK,  again  creeping  up  on  TONTY,  lifts  his  hair  with 
one  hand,  his  scalping  knife  ready  in  the  other.  THE  ONONDAGA 
CHIEF  strikes  him  down  with  his  knife. 

THE  CAYUGA  (also  knifing  the  Mohawk).  Thy  death  be  on  thine  own 
head. 

THE  ONODAGA  CHIEF.  Die,  thou  f ool !  Didst  thou  not  hear  me  say  I  am 
his  friend.  Take  forth  the  carrion  and  throw  it  in  the  river. 

[IROQUOIS  BRAVES  take  up  the  Mohawk's  body  and  bear  it  off, 

right. 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  Sayest  thou,  0  Frenchman,  that  the  Illinois  have 
threescore  scores  of  braves  hereabouts? 

TONTY.     So  say  I,  0  Seneca  chief.     Said  not  thy  scouts  the  like? 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  Sayest  thou  that  there  be  threescore  of  thy  French- 
men over  yonder  ridge  ? 

TONTY.  Not  many  paces  beyond  yonder  ridge  they  were  encamped,  0 
Seneca  chief,  and  one  of  my  young  men  ran  out  to  fetch  them  as  thou 
earnest. 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  What  mattereth  it,  0  Seneca  chief,  if  we  be  not 
at  war  with  France  and  with  my  friends,  the  sons  of  France,  the  Sieur 
de  la  Salle  and  this  brave  man  here  ?  See,  he  is  wounded  sore. 

[TONTY,  fainting  from  loss  of  blood,  sinks  down.    THE  ONONDAGA 

CHIEF  and  the  CAYUGA  minister  to  him. 


11 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  It  was  in  my  heart  to  gnaw  upon  the  bones  of  these 
Illinois  here;  but  how  shall  the  panther  bite  upon  the  rock  of  Onontio, 
the  Mountain? 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  Why  bring  the  blood  of  thine  own  people  upon 
their  shaven  heads  by  fighting  here  with  France? 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  I  am  not  minded  to  fight  threescore  Frenchmen 
here.  But  thinkest  thou  there  be  so  many  beyond  yonder  ridge? 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  This  Frenchman  saith  as  much;  and  he  is  the 
friend  of  my  friend,  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle. 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  Thinkest  thou  there  be  so  many  Illinois  braves  as 
he  hath  said? 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  I  know  not,  nor  do  I  care.  It  is  already  too 
much  that  he,  with  the  sacred  wampum  in  his  keeping,  hath  been 
wounded  by  thy  hand. 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  It  was  a  Mohawk  struck  the  blow,  and  none  of  mine. 
Moreover,  he  is  dead  by  thine  own  hand.  It  is  enough. 

[TONTY  raises  himself  with  his  INDIAN  FRIENDS'  aid,  and  stands 

erect,  weak  of  body  but  strong  of  will. 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  Thou  art  a  brave  man  and  a  fearless,  0  French- 
man, and  it  is  fitting  that  thou  art  a  friend  to  the  Sieur  de  fa  Salle  and 
tome.  (To  the  Seneca  Chief).  Is  he  not  free  to  go  ? 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  Thou  art  free  to  go,  0  Frenchman ;  and  these  Illi- 
nois that  are  thy  children  and  the  children  of  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle  and 
of  Onontio  and  of  France  shall  not  have  their  bones  gnawed  by  me  and 
my  braves — not  now. 

TONTY.  The  skies  smiled  earlier  upon  me,  0  Seneca  chief,  and  now 
meseemeth  the  sun  smileth  again  in  thy  words. 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  Aho-ho-ho,  ye  warriors !  The  path  of  war  is  not 
for  us  this  day;  these  Illinois  are  the  children  of  this  brave  man  and  of 
France.  So  on  to  the  path  of  peace  once  more. 

[There  are  much  expostulation,  explanation,  and  murmuring  as 
the  IROQUOIS  begin  to  file  out,  right,  slowly,  brandishing  their 
weapons  at  the  Illinois. 

THE  SENECA  CHIEF.  Yet  will  I  give  thee  my  hand,  0  Frenchman.  Thy 
wound  is  none  of  my  making,  but  it  hath  proved  thee  brave. 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  I  will  give  thee  aid  to  thy  fellows,  0  French- 
man. Come,  give  help. 

[The  CAYUGA  comes  at  the  word,  and  the  two  hold  TONTY  up  as 

he  walks  feebly  toward  the  Illinois. 

[Fathers  MEMBRE  and  RIBOURDE,  who  have  come  down,  left,  come 

with  BOISRONDET  to  meet  him.     They  take  him  from  the  two 

IROQUOIS  and  lead  him  to  his  lodge. 


12 

THE  CAYUGA.     Thou  art  a  brave  man,  and  my  brother. 

THE  ONONDAGA  CHIEF.  Thou  art  a  brave  man,  and  the  brother  of  all 
brave  men. 

TONTY.  I  give  you  my  hearty  thanks,  for  your  words  and  for  your  kind- 
ness, 0  Onondaga  chief  and  Cayuga  warrior.  Ye  have  staunched  my 
wound  thereby. 

FATHER  MEMBRE.  Oh,  my  son,  my  gallant  son,  art  thou  sorely  wounded 
— near  to  death  ?  God  be  praised  that  there  is  still  a  little  life  in  thee ! 

TONTY.  I  am  a  very  live  dead  man,  my  father.  It  is  but  a  scratch, 
though  the  loss  of  blood  leaveth  me  weak. 

BOISRONDET.  Oh,  my  captain,  I  had  not  thought  to  see  thee  alive  this 
day !  God  be  praised  for  thy  safety ! 

FATHER  RIBOURDE.  Thou  art  the  bravest  of  men,  my  son;  and  I  have  a 
sovereign  remedy  that  will  staunch  thy  blood,  once  we  have  thee  in  thy 
lodge.  God  be  praised  it  is  no  worse  ! 

CHASSAGOAC.  Captain  de  Tonty,  I  and  all  my  tribes  owe  thee  their  lives 
this  day.  Thou  art  as  the  sun  and  moon  to  the  harvest. 

TONTY.     Say  not  so,  Chief  Chassagoac.    I  did  no  more  than  thy  friend, 

the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  would  have  had  me  do. 

[The  ILLINOIS  part  respectfully  as  TONTY  is  helped  to  his  lodge 
and  laid  therein,  Father  RIBOURDE  remaining  to  tend  his  hurt. 

CHASSAGOAC.     He  is  a  brave  man,  this  son  of  thine. 

FATHER  MEMBRE.     It  is  his  Faith  doth  make  him  brave,  0  Chief. 

CHASSAGOAC.  So  it  may  be.  So  it  may  be.  Yet  were  we  brave  before 
thou  earnest. 

BOISRONDET.  And  he  would  not  suffer  me  to  risk  my  life  for  him,  with 
all  my  willingness. 

CHASSAGOAO.  Bravery  maketh  others  brave,  even  as  cowardice  breedeth 
cowards.  Thou  hast  thy  captain's  heart. 

FATHER  RIBOURDE  (coming  from  the  lodge).  The  blood  is  fully 
staunched,  and  our  captain  resteth  easily  and  with  but  little  pain. 

FATHER  MEMBRE.  Now  let  us  give  hearty  thanks  to  the  good  God  who 
hath  saved  the  life  of  our  friend  and  the  lives  of  all  of  us  this  day. 

THE    FRENCHMEN 

We  praise  Thee,  0  God;  we  acknowledge  Thee  to  be  the  Lord. 

All  the  earth  doth  worship  Thee,  the  Father  everlasting. 

To  Thee  all  angels  cry  aloud ;  the  heavens,  and  all  the  powers  therein. 

To  Thee,  cherubim  and  seraphim  continually  do  cry, 

Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  Lord  God  of  Sabaoth ; 

Heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  the  Majesty  of  Thy  Glory. 


13 

CHASSAGOAC.     Ho,  ye  warriors  !     Ho,  ye  warriors  !     Dance  we  the  dance 

of  victory. 

[The  tom-toms  sound.  The  BRAVES  dance  in  the  center,  the 
SQUAWS  to  the  left,  and  the  BOYS  and  GIELS  to  the  right,  all  sing- 
ing, CHASSAGOAC  leading  and  the  rest  in  chorus. 

CHASSAGOAC  CHORUS 

Fled  are  the  foe,  Fled  are  the  foe, 

Fearful  they  go.  Fearful  they  go. 

Arrow  and  spear  Fled  are  the  foe, 

Fill  them  with  fear.  Fearful  they  go. 

Sharp  is  the  knife,  Fled  are  the  foe, 

Quick  at  their  life.  Fearful  they  go. 

Dreading  our  ire,  Fled  are  the  foe, 

Flee  they  like  fire.  Fearful  they  go. 

Quickly  they  die,  Fled  are  the  foe, 

Fear  in  their  eye.  Fearful  they  go. 

(CURTAIN) 


14 


PART  II  — THE  FREEING  OF  ILLINOIS 


Persons  of  the  scene: 

Father  PIERRE  GIBAULT,  parish  priest, 

PHILIPPE  DE  ROCHEBLAVE,  commandant  at  Fort  Gage, 

MADAME  DE  ROCHEBLAVE,  wife  to  the  commandant, 

touis  BRAZOT,  of  the  militia, 

^MADAME  BRAZOT,  wife  to  Louis, 

JEROME  CRELI,  of  the  militia, 

THE   FRENCH    ELDERS, 

HABITANTS,  men,  women,  and  children. 

NEGRO  SLAVES,  men,  women,  and  children,  all  of  Kaskaskia. 

GEORGE  ROGERS  CLARK,  lieutenant-colonel  commanding. 

JOSEPH  BOWMAN,  captain, 

WILLIAM  HARROD,  captain, 

LEONARD  HELM,  captain, 

JOHN  MONTGOMERY,  captain, 

SHADRACH   BOND,  ST.,  private, 

DANIEL  HENRY,  private, 

BOEDERMEN,  all  of  the  Virginia  Expeditionary  Force. 


TRUMPETERS  come  forth  and  flourish,  as  before. 

Enter,  as  before,  the  PERSONS  OF  THE  PROCESSION,  as  follows: 

Persons  of  the  procession: 

Major  Pierre   d'Artaguette,  Father   Senat.  and  soldiers  of  the  Eoyal 

Marine  Regiment,  with  the  French  standard. 
A  wedding  party  of  the  French  aristocracy  at  Fort  de  Chartres. 
Philippe  Franqois  de  Renault,  with  Dominican  Negroes. 
Pontiac,  with  Braves  of  the  Ottawas.  Illinois.  Pottawatomis,  Wyandots, 

Chippewas,  Miamis  and  Senecas. 
Captain  Thomas  Stirling,  and  Soldiers  of  the  Black  Watch,  and  Major 

Robert  Farmer  and  Soldiers  of  the  Border  Regiment,  with  the  British 

standard. 
French  habitants  in  a  christening  party. 


PROLOGUE  enters,  as  before. 


PROLOGUE 

The  heavy  cloud  of  unremembered  years 
Rises,  and  we  of  many  modern  troubles 
Look  back  as  on  a  golden  age  forgone. 
Here,  once,  upon  a  flowery  turf  were  known 


15 


Music  and  innocent  mirth  in  dance  and  song, 
With  fond  content,  smiling  at  cark  and  care. 
Hither,  adown  our  lakes  and  rivers  glide 
From  distant  Montreal  the  carolling 
Voyagers,  while  from  newer  Orleans  come 
The  bravery  and  beauty  of  Versailles. 
Leaving  a  troublous  heritage  of  slaves, 
France,  feudal  France,  here  sparkled  for  a  time, 
As  fireflies  twinkle  thro'  a  starlit  eve. 
The  Indians  found  peace — a  miracle  ! — 
Ere  Pontiac  made  himself  an  uncrowned  king, 
And  Britain's  sullen  monarch  trod  his  path 
Of  petty  tyrannies  toward  maddening  fate, 
Inflaming  our  frontiers  again  with  fire 
And  blood,  until  Virginia  comes  in  pride, 
As  ye  shall  see,  good  people  all,  what  time 
Our  Illinois  is  made  American. 


It  is  the  fine  moonlit  night  of  the  Fourth  of  July,  1778,  in  old  Kaskas'kia. 
The  common  before  the  parish  church  of  St.  Mary  is  shown,  paths 
going  out  on  either  side  of  it,,  and  on  the  left  the  rose-clad  cottages  of 
the  habitants,  while  Fort  Gage  protrudes  a  salient,  within  which  the 
British  ensign  of  the  period  is  hanging,  just  within  a  practicable  gate. 

LOUIS  BRAZOT  is  doing  sentry  duty  before  the  gate,  while  the  COMMAND- 
ANT and  I'AKisii  PRIEST  converse  at  a  little  distance. 

EOCHEBLAVE.  I  trust  you  have  kept  hatred  of  the  Americans  alive  in 
the  hearts  of  your  flock,  Father  Gibault. 

GIBAULT.  Indeed  yes,  monsieur  the  commandant.  I  have  told  them  of 
the  long  knives  which  all  Americans  carry. 

ROCHEBLAVE.  With  which  they  cut  off  the  heads  of  innocent  women  and 
children  ? 

GIBAULT.  Yes,  monsieur  the  commandant ;  that  they  murder  and  massa- 
cre all. 

EOCHEBLAVE.  And  that  they  take  scalps,  even  from  living  heads,  Father 
Pierre?  • 

GIBAULT.  Yes,  monsieur ;  that  their  belts  are  dangling  with  such  scalps ; 
and  that  those  they  leave  unslain  they  carry  off  into  cruel  slavery. 

EOCHEBLAVE.  And  that  they  steal  and  plunder,  taking  all  that  they 
find,  even  things  worthless  to  themselves,  or  else  destroying  them,  burn- 
ing the  houses? 

GIBAULT.  Yes,  monsieur;  and  that  they  are  very  violent  toward  our 
holy  religion. 

EOCHEBLAVE.  Robbing  all  churches  of  Iheir  sacred  vessels  and  vest- 
ments, and  fouling  them  with  ridicule  of  our  holiest  ceremonies,  father? 


16 

GIBAULT.  Yes,  monsieur;  and  that  they  force  our  men  and  women  to 
deny  their  religion  on  pain  of  death. 

ROCHEBLAVE.  And  that  they  torture,  even  burn  at  the  stake,  those  who 
remain  faithful? 

GIBATTLT.  Oh,  yes,  monsieur.  And  my  flock,  though  perhaps  I  should 
not  say  it,  has  no  great  love  for  martyrdom,  whether  speedy  or  slow. 

BRAZOT.     Ten  o'clock  and  all  is  well  of  a  fine  July  night. 

ROCHEBLAVE.  All  that  is  good,  very  good.  I  judge  that  our  good  people 
of  Kaskasia  will  not  welcome  these  Americans  with  their  long  knives. 

GIBAULT.  Indeed  not,  monsieur.  I  think  that  they  fear  death  less  than 
these  Americans. 

ROCHEBLAVE.  Madame  my  wife  awaits  me.  You  have  done  well,  Father 
Gibault,  you  have  done  well.  I  give  you  a  good  night. 

GIBAULT.  Thank  you,  monsieur.  May  your  slumbers,  and  those  of 
madame  your  wife,  be  quite  untroubled,  monsieur. 

ROCHEBLAVE.     I  thank  you,  father.     Good  night. 
GIBAULT.     Good  night,  monsieur  the  commandant. 

BRAZOT  (saluting  the  commandant  at  the  gate).  Monsieur  the  com- 
mandant, may  I  inform  you  that  it  is  ten  o'clock? 

ROCHEBLAVE.  I  heard  you  say  as  much,  Louis.  I  will  admit  that  it  is 
ten  o'clock. 

BRAZOT.     Well,  monsieur  the  commandant? 

ROCHEBLAVE.     Well,  Louis  ? 

BRAZOT.     I  have  a  wife  awaiting  me  at  home,  monsieur  the  commandant. 

ROCHEBLAVE.  Plague  take  your  wife,  Brazotl  Think  you  she  will  not 
live  if  you  lay  not  your  carcase  beside  hers  of  a  night? 

BRAZOT.  She  is  very  fearful  of  the  coming  of  the  Long  Knives,  monsieur 
the  commandant. 

ROCHEBLAVE.  Oh,  very  well,  Brazot;  but  tell  her  you  have  more  cause 
to  fear  the  fires  of  eternity  than  them.  Take  your  musket  home  with 
you,  so  they  will  not  capture  it.  And  I  see  you  have  forgotten  to  lower 
the  flag  again,  Brazot,  confound  you ! 

BRAZOT.  Thank  you,  monsieur  the  commandant.  Good  night,  monsieur 
the  commandant.  (Under  his  breath).  Confound  you,  monsieur  the 
commandant !  [Shakes  his  fist  at  the  retreating  figure  of  his  superior 
officer. 

GIBAULT.     Has  he  gone? 
BRAZOT.     Yes,  father. 


17 

GIBAULT.     What  think  you  of  your  British  commandant,  Louis  ? 

BRAZOT.  I  may  say  to  you,  father,  that  I  think  he  is  a  very  poor  English- 
man, and  an  even  poorer  Frenchman. 

GIBAULT.  And  what  of  his  wishing  the  plague  upon  your  good  wife, 
Louis  ? 

BRAZOT.  Oh,  it  is  in  his  way — he  is  very  violent  at  times.  Now  if  he 
had  wished  her  dumb ;  that  would  have  been  a  wish ! 

GIBAULT.  The  good  God  gave  her  speech,  Louis,  and  it  was  for  the 
benefit  of  your  soul. 

BRAZOT.  Doubtless,  father,  it  is  for  the  benefit  of  my  soul;  I'm  sure  it 
can  be  for  nothing  else.  And  yet  she  is  better  than  the  wife  of  the  com- 
mandant, the  Lord  save  her  soul ! 

GIBAULT.     Good  night,  Louis.    May  she  not  waken  when  you  go  to  her ! 

BRAZOT.     Thank  you,  father;  that  is  a  kind  wish — but  she  will.     Good 

night. 

[Father  GIBAULT  goes  down  past  the  church,  left.  BRAZOT  enters 
the  first  house,  left.  There  is  immediately  heard  loud  and  pro- 
tracted talk  from  MADAME  BRAZOT  within. 

[Enter,  from  the  right  of  the  church,  CLARK,  BOWMAN,  HELM, 
BOND,  HIENRY,  and  other  BORDERMEN,  preceded  and  accompanied 
by  much  barking  of  dogs. 

CLARK.  Condemn  those  beasts !  They'd  wake  the  dead,  Captain  Bow- 
man. 

BOWMAN.     I  hear  a  woman's  voice,  Colonel  Clark. 

CLARK.  Perhaps  it  is  just  as  well.  A  thunder  storm  could  not  be 
heard  with  that  woman  and  the  dogs  going  it  together. 

BOWMAN.  Captains  Montgomery  and  Harrod  must  have  reached  their 
stations  above  the  village  by  this  time,  colonel. 

CLARK.  I  judge  so,  captain.  You  had  best  take  station  behind  the 
church,  Captain  Helm. 

HELM.     Shall  I  stay  with  Captain  Bowman? 

CLARK.  That  will  be  well,  captain.  I  will  enter  the  fort,  and  when 
we  have  the  garrison  to  rights,  we  will  give  a  loud  huzza. 

HELM.     Which  we  shall  take  as  your  order  to  charge,  colonel. 

BOWMAN.     Giving  loud  huzzas  in  return. 

[BOWMAN  and  HELM  exeunt  by  the  right  of  the  church. 

HENRY  (after  reconnoitering ) .  The  gate  of  the  fort  is  open  and  un- 
guarded, colonel. 


18 

CLARK.     That  is  lucky.     Forward,  men.     Careful  now.    .Fall  in  behind. 

I  go  first.     March. 

[One  by  one  the  BORDERMEN  pass  through  the  gate.  There  is  a 
moment  of  silence  as  the  last  man  passes.  Then  the  voices  of 
ROCHEBLAVE  and  MADAME  DE  ROCHEBLAVE  are  heard  in  violent 
expostulation  within. 

HENRY  (dragging  out  Creli).     Here,  garrison,  hand  me  your  weapons. 

CRELI  (in  abject  fear).     Oh,  monsieur,  I  have  none.     Spare  me! 

HENRY  (searching  him  and  finding  a  pistol).  Isn't  that  a  weapon?  or 
isn't  it? 

CRELI  (kneeling).  Oh,  monsieur,  do  not  shoot  me!  Even  if  the  pistol 
is  not  loaded,  do  not  shoot  me ! 

HENRY.  How  can  I  shoot  you  with  an  unloaded  pistol?  It  hasn't  so 
much  as  a  flint  in  it. 

[The  loud  talking  of  the  ROCHEBLAVES  grows  louder  as  CLARK,  his 
sword  in  hand,  brings  ROCHEBLAVE  out  through  the  gate,  his  wife 
shrieking  behind,  and  the  BORDERMEN  following.  The  ROCHE- 
BLAVES are  slightly  clad. 

EOCHEBLAVE.  May  the  plague  seize  upon  you,  villain !  May  the  small- 
pox scourge  you,  infamous !  May  dogs  feed  on  the  bones  of  your  fathers, 
you  cockroach ! 

MADAME  ROCHEBLAVE.  What  do  you  mean,  you  night-skulker,  by  enter- 
ing the  room  of  a  lady  at  this  time  of  night  ?  How  dare  you,  you  peas- 
ant, with  your  canaille? 

CLARK.     Madame,  return  to  your  room  speedily ;  you  are  unclad. 

MADAME  ROCHEBLAVE  (taking  a  liasty  glance  at  her  disarray  and  rush- 
ing back  through  the  gate  discomfited).  Another  insult  from  this  vil- 
lain !  When  was  woman  ever  so  insulted  before  ? 

CLARK  (wiping  his  forehead).     Well,  she's  gone;  thank  Heaven! 

ROCHEBLAVE.  You  seek  to  frighten  me  with  your  long  knife,  you  scum 
of  civilization !  You  cockroach  and  the  son  of  cockroaches — 

CLARK.     Enough.     Gag  him,  men. 

[The  BORDERMEN  seize  ROCHEBLAVE  and  cover  his  mouth,  as  he 

struggles  violently. 
HENRY.     He's  a  good  fighter. 

CLARK.     Take  him  to  the  dungeon  and  put  him  in  chains. 

[The  BORDERMEN  carry  ROCHEBLAVE  out  through  the  gate,  still 
struggling  and  lioiuling  imprecati-ons  whenever  their  hands  are 
taken  from  his  mouth. 

HENRY.     We  haven't  given  those  huzzas  yet,  colonel. 

CLARK.  I  should  have  forgotten  my  name  between  the  pair  of  them. 
Attention,  men.  Now,  three  loud  huzzas. 


19 

BORDERMEN.     Huzza !     Huzza !     Huzza ! 

[The  cheer  is  echoed  loudly  from  those  within  the  Fort,  and  is 
taken  up  behind  the  church  and  off  stage,  left. 
[Enter,  preceded  by  frightened  VILLAGERS,  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, French  and  Negro,  hastily  attired,  BOWMAN  and  BORDER-I 
MEN  from  the  left,  HELM  and  his  men  from  the]  right  of  the 
church,  MONTGOMERY  and  his  men  from  the  left  lower  entrance, 
and  HARROD  and  his  men  from  between  the  cottages,  left. 
[Doors  of  the  cottages  open  and  close  again.     The  scene  is  one  of 
extreme  confusion,  the  VILLAGERS  showing  every  sign  of  fright, 
and  appealing  to  the  officers  and  men  for  mercy.     Father  GIBAULT 
comes  after. 
[The  BORDERMEN  line  the  square,  the  VILLAGERS  in  the  center. 

CLARK.     Silence!     Men,  draw  your  knives. 

[As  the  knives  come  out,  there  is  instant  silence,  broken  by  occa- 
sional sobs  from  the  women  and  children. 

GIBAULT  (coming  forward).     Oh,  monsieur — 
[He  merges  himself  with  the  villagers. 

CLARK  (waving  him  aside).  One  moment.  Captain  Bowman,  Captain 
Helm,  see  that  the  French  give  up  their  weapons.  Captain  Harrod, 
Captain  Montgomery,  take  details  and  search  the  houses  for  arms. 

[The  VILLAGERS  give  up  a  knife  or  pistol  here  and  there.     Those 
in  the  houses  are  brought  out,  some  with  muskets. 

HARROD  (knocking  loudly  at  Brazot's  door).  Bring  out  your  arms! 
Within  there,  bring  out  your  arms ! 

BRAZOT  (coming  out  with  his  musket).     Oh,  do  not  kill  me,  monsieur! 

MADAME  BRAZOT  (emerging  and  pushing  Harrod  to  one  sid&).  Don't 
you  dare  kill  him !  He's  my  man.  He  isn't  any  good,  but  he's  my  man 
and  I  say  you  shan't — 

CLARK.     Silence!     Where  is  the  priest? 

GIBAULT  (coming  forward).  Here  am  I,  monsieur;  Father  Pierre 
Gibault,  at  your  service. 

CLARK.  Tell  your  people  to  return  to  their  houses  for  the  night,  Father 
Jeboth.  Tell  them  that  they  are  on  no  account  to  leave  them.  Guards 
will  be  placed  to  see  that  my  orders  are  obeyed.  On  no  account  will  a 
single  person  venture  outside  of  the  village.  You  will  all  be  safe  if  you 
obey  orders — for  the  present,  at  least. 

GIBAULT.  Yes,  monsieur.  Thank  you,  monsieur.  (To  the  villagers). 
My  poor  children,  you  may  go  again  to  your  houses,  and  there  you  must 
stay.  If  you  try  to  leave  the  village,  you  will  be  shot;  therefore  do  not 
leave  the  village.  Monsieur  the  -  —  ? 

CLARK.     Colonel  Clark,  sir;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Clark,  of  Virginia. 

GIBAULT.  Monsieur  the  Colonel  Clark  says  that  if  you  obey  orders  you 
will  not  be  shot;  therefore  obey  orders. 


20 

THE  FRENCH.  We  will,  father.  We  will,  Monsieur  the  Colonel  Clark. 
We  truly  will. 

CLARK.     Officers,  see  that  they  return  to  their  houses.     Station  guards 

on  all  the  roads  leading  from  Kaskaskia. 

[Preceded  by  details  of  BORDERMEN,  the  VILLAGERS  leave  by  the 
several  entrances,  or  go  into  their  cottages,  as  the  case  may  be. 
Other  BORDERMEN  follow  them  out. 

MADAME  BRAZOT.     Will  they  kill  my  man  in  the  morning,  colonel  ?    Oh, 

will  they  kill  my  man  in  the  morning,  captain?     Oh,  is  my  man  to  be 

killed  in  the  morning,  lieutenant? 

BRAZOT.  Of  a  certainty  they  will  kill  me  if  you  don't  stop  talking, 
Toinette.  f  MADAME  BRAZOT  stops  instantly  and  goes  into  the  house).  I 
have  never  known  her  to  be  so  hushed  before.  Of  a  certainty  these 
Americans  are  mighty  men. 

[Exit  BRAZOT  into  his  house. 

CLARK.  Father  Jeboth,  you  will  come  to  me  in  the  morning  with  your 
elders,  the  leading  men  of  the  village. 

GIBAULT.  Thank  you,  monsieur  the  colonel.  We  will  come  to  you  in  the 
morning,  monsieur,  of  a  certainty,  monsieur.  Good  night,  monsieur. 

[Exit  Father  GIBAULT  past  the  church,  left. 

CLARK.  Good  night,  Father  Jeboth.  Henry,  stand  guard.  Bond,  re- 
lieve him  at  three  o'clock.  Good  night. 

HENRY.     Good  night,  colonel. 

[CLARK  and  BOND  exeunt  into  the  Fort.     The  lights  dim  and  go 

out  for  a  moment,  then  slowly  brighten  into  morning.     BOND  is 

seen  on  guard,  where  Henry  had  been. 

[Enter,  left,  Captain  HELM. 
HELM.     Good  morning,  Shadrach. 

BOND.  Good  morning,  Captain  Helm.     We  made  a  good  night  of  it. 

HELM.  Didn't  we?     Did  you  ever  see  anybody  so  frightened? 

BOND.  The  colonel  is  a  marvel  when  it  comes  to  handling  men. 

HELM.  And  women,  too — all  but  Mrs  Rocheblave. 

BOND.  Well,  he  shut  her  up,  too,  in  the  end.  But  I  never  heard  such 
a  talker. 

HELM.     Here  he  comes  now. 

CLARK  (entering  from  the  Fort).  Good  morning,  captain.  Good 
morning,  Shadrach. 

BOTH.     Good  morning,  colonel. 
HELM.     A  good  night's  work,  colonel. 

CLARK.  All  but  the  papers  of  the  Fort,  captain.  While  the  com- 
mandant's lady  was  talking  she  managed  to  hide  the  papers,  though  for 


21 

.the  life  of  me  I  can't  see  how  she  talked  as  she  did  and  did  anything  else 
at  the  same  time.  But  I  can't  find  a  trace  of  them. 

BOND.  I  think  she  hid  'em  in  her  trunk,  colonel.  She  was  talking  so 
that  I  couldn't  do  much  but  listen,  but  I  think  so. 

CLAEK.  Well,  we  can't  look  into  a  lady's  trunk.  I  may  question  him 
about  it,  though.  Captain  Helm,  you  go  with  Bond  and  bring  him  up. 
Ah,  here  come  Father  Jeboth  and  his  elders. 

[HELM  and  BOND  exeunt  through  the  gate.     ROCHEBLAVE'S  voice 

is  heard  in  imprecation, 
CLARK.     Gag  him,  men  ! 

[The  voice  is  silenced.     Father  GIBATJLT  and  six  ELDERLY  MEN, 

who  have  entered  from  the  left  of  the  church,  come  forward. 
THE  FRENCHMEN.     Good  morning,  Monsieur  the  Colonel  Clark.     Oh, 
monsieur,  be  pitiful! 

[They  bow  low  and  hold  out  supplicating  hands. 

CLARK.  Good  morning,  Father  Jeboth.  Good  morning,  gentlemen.  You 
have  something  to  say  to  me  ? 

THE  FREXCU.MEN  (speaking  at  once).  Oh,  yes,  monsieur.  Spare  us, 
monsieur.  Leave  us  our  lives,  monsieur.  Do  not  slay  our  wives,  mon- 
sieur. Have  mercy  on  our  little  children,  monsieur. 

CLARK.     Gentlemen,  gentlemen;  let  your  priest  speak.     Father  Jeboth? 

GIBATJLT.  Oh,  Monsieur  the  Colonel  Clark,  be  merciful  to  us;  and  be- 
fore we  are  separated  for  ever,  permit  us  to  enter  the  church  of  Our 
Lady  that  we  may  commend  our  lives  to  a  merciful  God. 

CLARK.  Gentlemen,  Americans  do  not  interfere  with  the  beliefs  of 
others;  but  let  every  one  worship  God  according  to  his  conviction  of 
duty.  You  may  assemble  in  your  church  as  you  will. 

THE  FRENCHMEN  (in  chorus).  Oh,  thank  you,  monsieur.  Thank  you, 
Monsieur  the  Colonel  Clark.  Thank  you,  monsieur. 

GIBAULT  (emboldened).  And,  Monsieur  the  Colonel  Clark,  will  you  not 
spare,  if  not  our  own  lives,  the  lives  of  our  women  and  children?  And 
will  you  not  leave  them  so  much  of  food  and  clothing  and  shelter  as  will 
save  them  from  starvation  and  the  elements  when  we  are  gone  ? 

CLARK.  What,  gentlemen,  do  you  mistake  us  for  savages?  Do  you 
think  Americans  will  strip  women  and  children  and  take  the  bread  out 
of  their  mouths?  My  countrymen  disdain  to  make  war  on  helpless  in- 
nocence. It  was  to  protect  our  own  wives  and  children  that  we  penetrated 
the  wilderness  and  subjugated  this  stronghold  of  British  and  Indian 
barbarity,  and  not  for  the  despicable  object  of  plunder. 

[Several  VILLAGERS,  followed   by    BORDERMEN,   enter  from   the 
various  paths  and  from  the  houses,  and  gather  around. 
THE  FRENCHMEN.     Oh,  thank  you,  monsieur.    Thank  you,  Monsieur  the 
Colonel  Clark.     Thank  you,  monsieur. 


22 

CLARK.  We  do  not  war  against  Frenchmen.  The  King  of  France,  your 
former  ruler,  is  the  ally  of  the  colonies ;  his  fleet  and  armies  are  fighting 
our  battles,  and  the  war  must  shortly  terminate. 

GIBAULT.  Monsieur  the  Colonel  Clark,  you  tell  us  that  His  Majesty- 
Louis  the  Fifteenth  has  sent  his  fleet  and  armies  to  fight  for  the 
Americans  ? 

CLARK.  Certainly,  Father  Jeboth.  Word  of  it  was  brought  to  us  from 
Virginia  before  we  came  into  the  Illinois  country. 

GIBAULT.      It  is  very  good  news  to  us,  Monsieur  the  Colonel  Clark. 

[There  are  much  lowing  and  smiling  and  tacit  congratulation 

among  the  Frenchmen  and  the  villagers  about. 

CLARK.  Embrace  whichever  side  you  deem  best,  gentlemen,  and  enjoy 
your  religion,  for  American  law  respects  the  believers  of  every  creed  and 
protects  them  in  their  rights. 

THE  FRENCHMEN.  Oh,  thank  you,  monsieur.  Thank  you,  Monsieur  the 
Colonel  Clark.  Thank  you,  monsieur. 

CLARK.  And  now,  to  convince  you  of  my  sincerity,  go  and  inform  the 
inhabitants  that  they  can  dismiss  their  fears  concerning  their  property 
and  friends;  that  they  can  conduct  themselves  as  usual,  and  that  their 
friends  who  are  in  confinement  shall  immediately  be  released. 

[There  is  a  general  chorus  of  thanks  and  loud  huzzas.     Many 

VILLAGERS  take  up  the  cry  and  run  out  rejoicing.    Father  GIBAULT 

and  7m  elders  ceremoniously  bow  to  Clark,  and  enter  the  church,, 

whence  presently  is  heard  the  "Adeste  Fideles."    VILLAGERS  enter, 

and  go  into  the  church. 

[Captain  HELM   and  BOND  bring  in  ROCHEBLAVE,  gagged  and 

struggling. 

CLARK.  Commandant,  I  have  released  the  inhabitants  from  the  rigor  of 
a  seige.  But  you  I  will  not  release.  I  intend  to  sell  your  slaves  as  a  part 
punishment  for  your  words  and  deeds  against  Americans,  and  I  am 
about  to  send  you  back  to  Williamsburg  to  be  dealt  with  according  to  our 
laws.  Captain  Helm,  return  the  commandant  to  his  cell  and  mount  a 
guard  over  him  until  we  are  ready  to  send  him  back. 

HELM.     Very  well,  sir. 

[HELM  signals  up  several  of  his  men,  who  take  ROCHEBLAVE  back 

1li  rough  the  gate. 

[VILLAGERS  enter  and,  set  up  arches  of  flowers  on  the  paths  at 

cither  side  of  the  church,  and  before  its  door,  with  every  sign  nf 

rejoicing. 

[Enter  Captains  BOWMAN.  ITARROD,  and  MONTGOMERY. 
CLARK.     Good  morning,  gentlemen.     The  day  is  fine. 

THE  ('ATTAINS.     Good  morning,  colonel. 

BOWMAN.  Now  that  you  have  in  a  do  the  inhabitants  happy,  colonel,  they 
tell  us  that  we  have  only  to  go  on  to  Cahokia  to  meet  with  a  hearty  wel- 
come there. 


23 


MONTGOMERY  There  are  no  British  in  Cahokia,  colonel,  and  the  news 
of  the  French  alliance  has  won  their  hearts  only  less  than  your  unex- 
pected lenity. 

HAEEOD.     But  I  notice  the  British  flag  is  still  flying  over  Fort  Gage. 

CLARK.     Take  a  detail  of  men  and  hoist  our  Stars  and  Stripes  above  it 
captain. 

[HARROD  and  his  MEN  pass  through  the  gate.  The  British  flag 
comes  down,  to  come  up  again  immediately  with  the  American 
flag  above  it.  As  it  rises,  it  is  saluted  with  loud  huzzas,  in  which 
the  BORDERMEN  and  VILLAGERS  join. 


CLARK     £°w  ttiree  cheers  for  Patrick  Henry,  the  first  American  gov- 
ernor of  the  Illinois  country. 

[ALL  cheer  heartily.     HARROD  and  his  MEN  return. 
MONTGOMERY.     The   French   cheer,   too,   colonel/and  many   of   them 
militiamen,  offer  to  go  to  Cahokia  with  us. 

CLARK.  That  will  be  something  to  do  immediately.  Captain  Bowman 
your  company  is  detailed  for  the  occupancy  of  Cahokia.  Supply  your- 
elves  with  provisions  and  prepare  to  march.  Captain  Montgomery 
take  down  the  names  of  the  French  volunteers  who  will  accompany  i"he 
expedition. 

[The  door  of  the  Brazot  cottage  flies  open.  BRAZOT  com.es  out 
precipitately,  MADAME  BRAZOT  following. 

BRAZOT  (falling  on  his  'knees  bfeore  Clark).     Oh,  spare  my  wife,  mon- 
5he  is  still  young  and  beautiful  and  ill  prepared  for  death. 

MADAME  BRAZOT.     Oh,  spare  my  husband,  monsieur.    He  is  a  liar  and 
most  worthless,  but  he  is  all  I  have. 

CLARK.  Look  about  you  and  see  the  rejoicing,  and  rejoice  with  the  rest. 
[BRAZOT  and  MADAME  BRAZOT  vociferate  their  thanks  The 
BORDERMEN  pull  them  to  their  feet. 

[Enter  from  either  side  of  the  church,  YOUTHS  and  MAIDENS 
until  FIDDLERS,  who  begin  to  dance  and  sing,  a  third  company 
coming  from  the  church  itself  to  join  them.  Father  GIBAULT 
and  the  ELDERS  come  from  the  church  and  stand  as  interested 
spectators. 

THE   YOUTHS   AND   MAIDENS 

Children  of  France  on  a  far  frontier, 
Gaily  we  dance  in  the  best  of  cheer, 
Gladly  we  sing  for  the  world  to  hear 
All  on  a  July  morning. 

Far  is  our  France  and  our  hearts  are  there, 
Yet  is  the  Illinois  country  fair, 
So  shall  we  sing  —  and  a  fig  for  care  !  — 
All  on  a  July  morning. 


24 

Eound  and  around  in  a  ring  we  go, 
Sweet  is  our  song  as  we  stand  a-row, 
Merry  our  hearts  as  we  sing,  heigho  I—- 
All on  a  July  morning. 

[The  beat  of  drums  is  heard  as  the  dance  ends.  Captain  BOW- 
MAN and  his  men,  with  the  DRUMMERS,  march  in  left,  followed 
by  the  FRENCH  VOLUNTEERS,  the  VILLAGERS  cheering.  They  halt 
and  come  to  attention  before  Clark. 

CLARK.     Send  back  a  messenger  to  tell  me  of  your  success,  Captain 
Bowman.     Good  luck  to  you  all ! 

BOWMAN.     Very  well,  sir.     (To  his  men).     By  the  left  face,  forward, 
march ! 

[The  drums  beat  and  the  company  marches  off  and  out  left  of  the 

church,  the  VILLAGERS  cheering. 

(CURTAIN) 


PART  III  —  BATTLING  AGAINST  SLAVERY 


Persons  of  the  scene: 

EDWARD  COLES,  second  governor  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 
Colonel  NICHOLAS  HANSEN,  representing  Pike  county. 
Colonel  ALEXANDER  p.  FIELD,  representing  Union  county. 
Doctor  GEORGE  CADWELL,  of  Morgan  county,  State  Senator. 
DAVID  MC  GAHEY,  representing  Crawford  county. 
GEORGE  CHURCHILL,  representing  Madison  county. 
THOMAS  MATHER,  representing  Randolph  county. 
The  Reverend  JOHN  MASON  PECK. 

MORRIS  BIRKBECK,  of  Albion. 

Colonel  CARLINSON  STICKBRIDGE,  on  his  way  from  Kentucky  to  Missouri. 

MRS.  NANCY  SOWLES. 

SOLOMON  SOWLES,  husband  to  Nancy. 

BARTLEY  IIIDDLE. 
PHILIP  BILLERY. 
JEREMIAH  MC  DALE. 
HENRY  DE  LERRY. 

INHABITANTS  of  Vandalia,  men,  women,  and  children,  travelers  and 

Negroes. 
State  officials,  members  of  the  legislature,  justices  of  the  supreme  court. 


Tur  M.PETERS  come  forth  and  flourish,,  as  before. 

Enter,  as  before,  the  PERSONS  OF  THE  PROCESSION,  as  follows: 

Persons  of  the  procession: 

Patrick  Henry,   governor  of   Virginia,   and   Colonel   John    Todd,   Jr., 

county  lieutenant  of  Illinois. 

Clark's  Bordermen,  with  their  women  and  children. 
Don  Eugenio  Pourre,  with  Spanish  soldiers  bearing  the  flag  of  1783, 

and  their  Indian  allies. 

La  Balme  and  his  volunteers,  with  French  girls  cheering  them. 
General  Arthur  St.  Clair,  governor  of  the  Northwest  Territory. 
General  Anthony  Wayne  and  Captain  Zebulon  Pike,  with  soldiers  of 

1794,  bearing  the  flag  with  fifteen  stars  and  fifteen  stripes. 
Ninian  Edwards,  governor  of  Illinois  Territory.     Nathaniel  Pope,  first 

delegate  to  Congress. 
Shadrach  Bond,  first  governor  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  Achsah  Bond, 

his  wife.     Pierre  Menard,  first  lieutenant  governor. 
American  and  British  soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812. 
Pottawatomis,  Kickapoos,  Winnebagoes,  and  Sacs  and  Foxes. 
Pioneers  with  their  women  and  children. 


26 

PROLOGUE  enters,  as  before. 

PROLOGUE 

Thus  Britain  passes,  and  Virginia  rules 

Her  county  of  the  Illinois.     Old  Spain 

Along  our  prairies  for  a  moment  spreads 

The  flag  Columbus  knew.     With  generous  hand 

The  Old  Dominion  yields  dominion  here, 

And  in  the  wide  Northwestern  Territory 

We  lose  our  name,  not  our  identity. 

Awhile  in  Indiana's  arms  we  rest, 

Ourself  her  elder.     War  breaks  forth  anew : 

Our  northern  lands  to  massacre  fall  prey, 

And  gallant  deeds  or  ghastly  light  or  stain 

Our  weary  pathway  toward  eternal  skies. 

But  here  are  laid  foundations  firm  and  deep 

Of  justice,  liberty,  and  faith  in  God, 

For  every  future  free  men  may  acclaim. 

Clark's  frontiersmen  return,  our  pioneers, 

The  wilderness  to  conquer  with  the  axe, 

The  foeman,  red  or  white,  with  rifle  sure 

As  any  flash  of  fate.     The  starry  crown 

Of  statehood  ours,  straightway  begins  the  strife, 

Which  ye  shall  witness,  against  slavery. 


The  front  of  the  first  state  capital  at  Vandalia,  as  it  appeared  on  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1823,  is  shown  in  the  background:  a  plain  two-story  frame 
building  of  rude  architecture,  set  upon  a  single  stone  foundation.  On 
the  ground  floor  the  House  of  Representatives  is  in  stormy  session. 
To  the  right  lies  Copp's  grocery,  its  corner  with  a  rude  porch  fronting 
toward  the  capital,  itself  built  of  logs.  Throughout  the  scene  there  is 
a  stream  of  visitors  entering  and  leaving  it,  generally  wiping  their 
mouths  with  seeming  satisfaction. 

A  crowd  of  men,  with  some  women  and  children,  is  gathered  about  the 
entrance  to  the  capitol,  listening  and  peering  in  through  the  windows. 
It  is  a  time  of  intense  political  excitement,  shown  constantly  in  the 
words  and  actions  of  the  crowd.  Men-  begin  arguing,  and  in  some 
cases  take  to  their  fists;  in  others,  they  begin  with  loud  voices,  are 
hushed  by  those  trying  to  hear  what  is  going  on  inside,  and  come  down 
front  to  go  on  with  the  argument. 

BILLERY  and  SOWLES,  the  latter  with  a  black  eye,  come  down. 

BILLERY.     They're  going  to  throw  Colonel  Nick  Hansen  out'n  the  legis- 
lator— that's  what  them  slave-owners  are  goin'  to  do ! 

SOWLES.     Ain't  they  got  the  right? 

BILLERY.     No;  they  ain't  got  the  right — it's  onconstitootional — an'  it's 
wrong. 

SOWLES.     Waal,  they  got  the  power — it  all  comes  to  the  same  thing. 
BILLERY.     No,  'tain't  the  same  thing  at  all — 'tain't  right. 


27 

SOWLES.     I  tell  yuh  it  all  comes  to  the  same  thing. 
BILLERY.     I  tell  yuh  it  don't. 
SOWLES.     It  dooes. 

BILLERY  (with  clenched  fist  ready).  See  here,  Sol  Sowles,  if  you  don't 
want  that  other  optic  o'  yourn  trimmed  up  for  a  funeral,  you  won't 
counter  die'. 

SOWLES.  Ah,  shucks,  what's  the  use  o'  gittin'  huffy?  Come  on  in  an* 
have  a  drink,  Phil. 

NANCY  SOWLES  (coming  up  in  time  to  hear.)  Solomon  Sowles,  you  been 
fightin'  agin,  an'  you  been  drinkin'  agin ;  an'  now  you're  going5  drinkin' 
agin  so  you  won't  git  to  fightin'  agin.  You  come  on  hum. 

SOWLES.     Oh,  it's  all  right,  maw.    Phil  an'  me's  friends ;  ain't  we,  Phil  ? 

BILLERY.  We  ain't  fightin',  Nancy;  we're  jest  a-argufyinj  a  leetle,  that's 
all. 

NANCY.  Waal,  you  go  on  drinkin'  an'  you'll  go  on  argufyin'  into  a 
fight.  I  know  politics,  I  reckon. 

[All  go  silent  as  a  loud  roar  comes  from  the  capital.  Voices  are 
.  heard  from  within  shouting  and  protesting,  and  the  smack  of  the 

gavel  shows  the  effort  to  restore  order.    A  loud  cheer,  followed  by 

catcalls,  ends  the  disturbance. 

HANSEN  (coming  through  the  capital  door).  By  Heaven,  they  did  it! 
I  didn't  think  they'd  dare. 

MCDALE.     Did  they  throw  you  out,  Colonel  Hansen? 

HANSEN.  They  threw  me  out — after  they'd  given  me  my  seat  by  unani- 
mous vote  more  than  nine  weeks  ago ! 

MCDALE.     It's  an  infernal  outrage — that's  what  it  is ! 

HANSEN.  It's  just  about  as  far  as  they  can  go.  Now  to  beat  the  con- 
vention !  A  convention  to  amend  the  constitution !  It's  to  bring  in 
slavery,  and  that's  all  it  is ! 

DE  LERRY.  What  did  you  go  an'  vote  agin  the  convention  for  yestiddy, 
colonel  ? 

HANSEN.  Because  it  means  slavery  in  Illinois,  Henry.  And  that  means 
that  you  and  the  rest  will  have  to  work  along  with  slaves — and  be  little 
better  than  slaves  yourselves  before  you're  done  with  it. 

[There  are  cries  of  derision  from  the  CROWD,  and  a  few  cheers. 

DE  LERRY.     Oh,  I  reckon  I  can  git  along  somehow. 
HANSEN.     Where's  the  governor? 

DE  LERRY.  I  reckon  he's  to  hum,  a-thinkin'  up  some  way  to  free  them 
slaves  that  ain't  his'n. 

[Exit  HANSEN,  left,  excitedly. 


28 

MCDALE.     Waal,  he  freed  them  that  was  his'n  fust,  didn't  he  ? 

FIELD  (coming  through  the  door).  Here,  men,  where's  Sol  Sowles? 
Have  any  of  you  seen  him  ? 

DE  LERRY.     He's  down  there  by  Copp's.    0  Sol,  Colonel  Field  wants  you! 

[Sowles  and  Nancy  come  up. 

FIELD.  Sol,  I  want  you  to  take  your  best  horse  and  make  a  run  for  John 
Shaw,  up  in  Pike. 

SOWLES.     All  right,  colonel.     I'll  do  anythin'  you  want. 

NANCY.  No,  you  won't — a-runnin'  off  a  hundred  an'  thirty  miles  that- 
away.  It'll  kill  your  hoss. 

FIELD.  He  won't  have  to  go  as  far  as  that,  Mrs.  Sowles.  We're  relaying 
the  news  to  Cole's  Grove,  and  he'll  only  have  to  run  the  first  relay. 

NANCY.  An'  go  an'  tell  that  wuthless  half-breed  driver,  John  Shaw,  that 
you've  jest  throwed  out  a  better  man — not  one  step ! 

SOWLES.  Oh  come,  Nancy,  John  Shaw's  the  Black  Prince  o'  the  King- 
dom o'  Pike — that's  what  John  Shaw  is. 

NANCY.     Black  Prince  o'  the  Kingdom  o'  Satan — an'  nothin'  less ! 
FIELD.     Well,  are  you  going,  Sol  ?    It's  a  matter  of  haste. 

NANCY.  No,  colonel,  he  ain't.  He's  half  drunk  now  an'  he's  been 
a-fightin'  an'  he  ain't  got  but  one  good  eye  to  see  out'n  of.  I  ain't  goin' 
to  have  him  fallin'  off  no  hoss  an'  gittin'  kilt.  Send  a  sober  man. 

SOWLES.     Oh,  Nancy,  I  ain't  drunk;  I  jest  been  a-drinkin'— 

FIELD.     Here,  De  Lerry,  will  you  go? 

DE  LERRY.     If  somebody'll  lend  me  a  hoss  I'll  go  in  a  minute. 

NANCY  (taking  Bowles's  arm).  Come  on  hum,  Sol,  and  lemme  put  some 
vinegar  on  that  eye  o'  yourn. 

SOWLES  (trying  to  pull  away).    He  can  have  one  o'  my  hosses,  colonel. 

NANCY.     Oh,  he  can,  can  he?    You  sober,  Henry? 

DE  LERRY.     I  ain't  had  but  six  today,  Nancy. 

NANCY.     Will  you  promise  not  to  take  another  till  you  git  back? 

DE  LERRY.  An'  not  have  one  to  start  me  off  ?  nor  none  when  I  git  there  ? 
Oh,  be  reasonable,  Nancy. 

NANCY.     Not  one — or  no  hoss. 

FIELD.  Mrs.  Sowles,  this  is  business  of  state — of  great  importance.  It 
can't  wait. 

NANCY.  Waal,  you  needn't  to  wait  on  my  account;  I  ain't  helpin'  to 
bring  no  more  slaves  into  Illinois.  Come  on  hum,  Sol. 

[Exeunt,  right,  SOWLES  and  NANCY,  he  protesting. 
FIELD.     Has  anybody  got  a  horse  he'll  let  this  man  take? 


29 

HIDDLE.  I  got  a  boss  o'  my  own,  colonel,  an'  I'll  ride  down  a  piece  for 
you.  Bart  Kiddie's  my  name. 

FIELD.  Good.  Come  in  here  a  minute  while  I  give  you  your  instruc- 
tions. 

[FIELD  and  HIDDLE  exeunt  into  the  capital. 

MCDALE.  You're  a  good  un,  Henry.  Nancy  Sowles  acts  as  if  she'd 
knowed  you  from  birth. 

DE  LERRY.     Waal,  I  ain't  drunk,  am  I  ?    I  only  had  six. 

MCDALE.  No,  you  ain't  so  drunk  you  got  to- lie  on  your  face  an'  hold 
on  with  both  hands  and  feet  to  keep  from  fallin'  off.  But  I  wouldn't 
let  you  ride  no  boss  o'  mine. 

DE  LERRY.     What's  wrong  with  my  ridin'  your  boss  ? 

MCDALE.     Nothin' ;  only  I  ain't  got  no  boss. 

[HIDDLE!  runs  from  the  capital  and  off,  right. 

BILLERY  (coming  up).  I  ain't  got  no  boss,  neither;  but  I  wouldn't  let 
you  take  him  on  no  such  errand. 

DE  LERRY.     \Vhy  don't  you  vote  for  the  convention  and  git  a  boss? 

BILLERY.  Vote  slavery  into  Illinois  and  git  a  boss?  Keep  it  out  an' 
git  two  bosses,  say  I. 

MCDALE.  That's  right.  Git  some  o'  them  wealthy  slave  owners  in  here 
an'  they'll  own  every  boss  in  Illinois ! 

DE  LERRY.  Here  comes  one  of  'em  now.  Jest  look  at  the  kind  o'  man 
he  is,  and  what  he's  got. 

[STICKBRIDGE  enters  around  the  grocery,  right. 

STICKBRIDGE  (over  his  shoulder).  See  that  the  thoroughbred  gets  a 
good  rubbing  down,  Pharaoh. 

A  VOICE  (off  stage,  right).     Yes,  massa;  yes,  massa  cunnel,  sab. 
STICKBRIDGE.     There  seems  to  be  some  excitement. 

DE  LERRY.  Yes,  colonel.  We're  goin'  to  git  slavery  into  Illinois  if  it 
takes  a  free  fight — an'  that's  what  it's  come  to. 

STICKBRIDGE.     That's  good,  that's  good!    How  are  you  going  about  it? 

BILLERY.  Waal,  they  jest  throwed  one  man  out'n  the  legislator  that  had 
a  puffick  right  to  his  seat,  and  they're  puttin'  a  man  in  his  place  that 
ain't  got  no  right  to  it  whatsomever — that's  what  they  jest  done ! 

STICKBRIDGE.      What  are  they  doing  that  for? 

MCDALE.  Because  they  couldn't  git  to  call  a  constitootional  convention 
to  bring  slavery  in  no  other  way — an'  it  ain't  goin'  to  git  'em  very  far, 
neither. 

BILLERY.     You  bet  it  ain't ! 


30 

STICKBRIDGE.  It  does  seem  a  trifle  highhanded,  even  to  me.  But  why 
don't  you  have  slavery  without  fighting  against  it?  Look  at  me.  I  sent 
my  overseer  here  to  Illinois,  and  he  reported  back  that  there  was  no 
better  land  in  the  world  than  on  the  American  Bottom  here.  But  if  I 
buy  in  there,  I  can't  bring  in  my  slaves  nor  set  up  my  plantation,  and  so 
I'm  going  across  to  Missouri. 

DE  LERRY.     That's  jest  what  I  been  a-tellin'  'em,  colonel. 

BILLERY.  Waal,  it's  thisawa}',  sir.  I  ain't  no  poor  white  trash,  an'  I 
ain't  a-goin'  to  be. 

MCDALE.  An'  I  got  childern  growin'  up,  an'  they  ain't  a-goin'  to  be  no 
poor  white  trash  to  be  looked  down  on,  neither. 

STICKBRIDGE.     What  has  that  to  do  with  it? 

BILLERY.  Waal,  I  reckon  down  your  way,  colonel,  they's  jest  two  kinds 
o'  white  folks — them  that's  got  slaves  an'  the  slaves  look  up  to,  and 
them  that  ain't  got  no  slaves  an'  the  slaves  look  down  on. 

MCDALE.  Billery  an'  me,  we  ain't  got  no  slaves,  an'  we  ain't  got  no  way 
o'  gittin'  'em — 

BILLERY.  An'  what's  more,  we  don't  want  'em.  I  ain't  brought  up  so 
delicate  I  can't  wait  on  myself. 

STICKBRIDGE.     That  sounds  commendable — and  true.     Good  day. 

[He  enters  the  grocery. 

MCDALE.  There,  Henry,  there's  your  slave  owner  for  you!  He  saw 
your  tongue  hangin'  out'n  your  mouth  for  thirst  and  he  wouldn't  ask  the 
like  of  you — nor  me  neither — to  take  a  drink.  We're  jest  poor  white 
trash  to  him. 

BILLERY.     Never  you  mind.    I'll  buy  you  one  leetle  snifter.    Then  I  got 

to  go  hum. 

[BILLERY,  MCDALE,  and  DE  LERRY  enter  the  grocery. 
[There  is  a  final  outburst  from  within  the  capital,  and  a  smash 
of  the  gavel  as  the  House  adjourns.     The  crowd  separates  to  let 
the  legislators  out,  who  gather  about  in  knots,  arguing  violently. 

FIELD  (coming  out  and  standing  on  the  step  of  the  capitol).  Now,  boys, 
get  ready  to  vote  for  the  convention.  You've  got  until  a  year  from  next 
August  to  make  up  your  minds  in.  We  want  to  build  a  canal  up  around 
Chicago.  We've  got  to  give  the  French  their  rights  to  their  property, 
whatever  it  is,  slaves  or  what  not.  And  we  don't  want  the  French  to 
have  any  more  rights  than  we  free  born  Americans  either,  do  we  ?  (Cries 
of  That's  right ! ) .  We  want  to  change  our  constitution  to  prove  that  all 
the  power  is  in  the  people — in  you  who  are  standing  before  me — to 
prove  that  it  is  your  constitution.  We  want  labor  for  the  Salines.  That 
is  where  the  State  is  getting  its  income  and  we  musn't  lose  that  and 
have  to  lay  heavy  taxes;  and  you  all  know  that  it  takes  black  men  to 
do  the  work  there.  Vote  for  the  convention,  boys,  to  change  the  con- 


31 

stitution  and  prove  that  you  are  free  men  still.  (There  is  much  ap- 
plause, and  the  arguing  'begins  afresh.)  And  now  come  on  in  the  grocery 
and  wet  your  whistles. 

[There  is  still  louder  applause. 

THE  CROWD.     That's  the  colonel.     He  knows  how  to  do  it.     Huzza  for 

Colonel  Field. 

[Many,  including  LEGISLATORS,  go  into  the  grocery  with  Field. 
Others  remain  in  argument  or  conference.  From  time  to  time 
men  come  out  of  the  grocery  and  go  off  by  one  or  ano'ther  entrance, 
returning  with  judges  and  senators  for  what  is  evidently  a  con- 
ference of  the  pro-convention  forces  within  the  grocery. 

[CALDWELL,     MATHER,     CHURCHILL,     and     MCGAHEY     COme     down 

front,  all  of  them  opponents  of  the  convention. 
CADWELL.     That  must  have  been  a  pretty  stiff  dose  for  you  men  to  take. 

CHURCHILL.  But  we  don't  have  to  take  it,  doctor.  They'll  have  to  take 
it  themselves — and  take  the  consequences. 

CADWELL.  It  is  my  medical  opinion  that  it  will  act  as  an  emetic  before 
the  campaign  is  over. 

MATHER.     We  can  hardly  say  enough  for  Colonel  Hansen. 

[MCDALE  comes  from  the  grocery  and  stands  by,  listening. 
CHURCHILL.     No  matter  what  his  motives  were,  he  made  a  martyr  of 
himself. 

MCGAHEY.     I  suppose  they've  sent  for  Shaw  by  this  time. 

MCDALE.  Yes,  Mr.  McGahey,  they're  sending  on  to  Pike  in  relays — 
Colonel  Field  started  Bartley  Hiddle  off  on  the  run  for  the  first  one  jest 
after  Colonel  Hansen  come  out. 

MATHER.  Well,  they've  gone  as  far  as  they  can  until  they  get  Shaw 
here.  But  they've  got  one  other  thing  to  override:  They  have  got  to 
pass  a  motion  that  one  of  their  majority  can  move  a  reconsideration  to 
get  the  motion  before  the  House  at  all. 

CADWELL.  There  won't  be  any  trouble  about  that,  not  after  Aleck  Field 
moved  Hansen  out — after  voting  him  in  himself  nine  weeks  ago ! 

CHURCHILL.  By  the  way,  where  did  Hansen  go?  (To  McDale.)  Do 
you  know,  Jerry? 

MCDALE.     Yes,  sir ;  I  heerd  him  say  he  was  goin'  to  the  gov'nor's. 

MATHER.  Well,  we'd  better  join  him  and  see  what  can  be  done.  Come 
on,  boys. 

[MATHER,,  leading  the  party,  starts  up  left. 

CHURCHILL.  You'd  better  stay  and  keep  your  ears  open,  Jerry.  The 
convention  crowd  will  be  for  making  more  trouble. 

MCDALE.  They're  all  in  Copp's  now,  lappin'  up  whiskey  like  a  pack  of 
thirsty  pups. 


32 

MATHER  (almost  off  stage,  upper  left).  Here  comes  the  governor  now. 
And  he's  got  Morris  Birkbeck  with  him. 

[Enter  COLES  and  BIRKBECK,  upper  left. 
CHURCHILL.     Better  go  in  Copp's  and  see  what's  going  on,  Jerry. 

MCDALE.     'Tain't  a  bad  idee,  Mr.  Churchill. 

[MCDALE  goes  into  the  grocery. 
MATHER.     We're  very  glad  to  see  you,  your  excellency. 

COLES.  Mr.  Mather,  if  the  president  of  the  United  States  is  satisfied 
with  being  Mr.  President,  there's  no  good  reason  for  calling  me  any- 
thing but  "governor" — and  Mr.  Coles  is  quite  enough. 

CADWELL.  You're  right,  as  usual,  governor.  "Doctor"  is  certainly  quite 
enough  for  me,  but  for  my  portion  I  generally  get  "Doc." 

COLES.  This  is  a  serious  business,  gentlemen,  this  expulsion  of  Colonel 
Hansen.  In  my  judgment  it  is  more  than  the  good  people  of  Illinois 
will  tolerate. 

MATHER.     Where  is  Colonel  Hansen  now,  governor? 

BIRKBECK.  I  advised  him  to  go  back  to  Pike  and  begin  the  fight  in- 
stantly. They  know  Shaw  better  there  than  anywhere. 

CHURCHILL.  Well  done,  Mr.  Birkbeck.  We  like  fair  play,  governor, 
and  the  convention  men  and  Pike  county  know  it. 

COLES.  It  is  my  belief  that  they  took  the  first  step  to  their  own  defeat 
at  the  moment  they  thought  they  were  advancing  to  victory. 

MCGAHEY.  Well  put,  governor;  that's  a  good  phrase  for  our  proclama- 
tion. 

CADWELL.  Mr.  Mather  here  has  another  nail  to  put  in  their  coffin, 
governor. 

COLES.     That  is  interesting,  Doctor  Cadwell.    What  is  it,  Mr.  Mather  ? 

MATHER.  Well,  sir,  as  they  can't  possibly  get  one  of  us,  the  minority, 
to  move  a  reconsideration  of  the  vote  for  the  convention  Colonel  Hansen 
has  just  made  them  lose — 

MCGAHEY.  I  wish  you  might  have  seen  their  faces  when  he  voted  "no," 
governor. 

COLES.  I  wish  I  might;  it  would  have  been  amusing — to  us,  at  least. 
As  you  were  saying,  Mr.  Mather? 

MATHER.  Why,  simply  that  they  must  decide  that  one  of  the  majority 
may  move  to  reconsider. 

COLES.  I  wonder  what  my  honored  friend,  Mr.  Jefferson,  that  great 
parliamentarian,  would  say  to  that! 

MATHER.     It  is  one  more  bit  of  unfairness,  that  is  sure. 
[Enter,  left,  the  Reverend  JOHN  MASON  PECK. 


33 

MCGAHEY.     Here's  the  Eeverend  Mr.  Peck,  governor. 

COLES.  That  is  good  news.  (Goes  to  PECK  and  shakes  hands  warmly). 
Well  met,  Mr.  Peck.  We  are  in  trouble,  and  you  can  be  a  tower  of 
strength  to  us. 

[There  are  greetings  all  around. 

PECK.  You  flatter  me,  governor.  But  I  am  glad  to  think  that  you 
regard  my  services,  however  humble,  of  any  value  in  a  good  cause. 

MATHER.  We  have  been  making  an  inventory  of  our  anti-slavery 
resources,  Mr.  Peck,  and  I  think  you  and  Mr.  Birkbeck  here  are  our  best 
available  assets. 

[The  crowd,  which  has  been  gathering  around  the  group,  begins 

to  cry,  Speech.     Speech. 
CHURCHILL.     Mr.  Birkbeck,  won't  you  humor  them  ? 

BIRKBECK.     Willingly,  if  the  governor  thinks  it  wise. 
COLES.     We  cannot  begin  too  soon,  Mr.  Birkbeck. 

BIRKBECK.  I  am  a  poor  man,  my  fellow  citizens,  that  is  to  say  I  have 
no  money.  But  I  have  a  house  to  cover  me  and  the  rest  of  us,  a  stable 
for  my  horses,  and  a  little  barn,  on  a  quarter  of  good  land,  paid  up  at 
the  land  office,  with  a  middling  fine  clearing  upon  it.  We  help  our 
neighbors,  who  are  generally  as  poor  as  ourselves;  some  that  are  new- 
comers are  not  so  well  fixed.  They  help  us  in  turn,  and  as  it  is  the 
fashion  to  be  industrious,  I  discover  that  we  are  all  by  degrees  growing 
wealthy — not  in  money,  to  be  sure,  but  in  truck.  There  is  a  great  stir 
among  the  land  jobbers  and  politicians  to  get  slaves  into  the  country, 
because,  as  they  say,  we  are  in  great  distress;  and  I  have  been  thinking 
pretty  much  about  how  it  would  act  with  me  and  my  neighbors.  I  have 
lately  seen  people  from  Kentucky  who  are  as  bad  off  for  money  as  we 
are — some  say,  worse — and  as  money  seems  to  be  all  we  want,  and  they 
want  it  just  as  much  as  we  do,  I  don't  see  how  these  slave  gentry  are  to 
make  it  plenty. 

[There  are  cries  of  That's  so !  They  haven't  any  money. 
BIRKBECK.  The  planters  are  great  men,  and  will  ride  about,  mighty 
grand,  with  their  umbrellas  over  their  heads,  when  I  and  my  boys  are 
working,  perhaps  bare-headed,  in  the  hot  sun.  Neighbors  indeed  !  They 
would  have  it  all  their  own  way,  and  rule  over  us  like  little  kings.  But 
if  we  lacked  to  raise  a  building,  or  a  dollar,  the  devil  a  bit  would  they 
help  us. 

["MEN  have  been  coming  from  the  grocery,  and  they  rush  at  Birk- 
beck. Those  already  on  the  ground  push  and  shove  them  with 
cries  of  Fair  play !  Let  him  speak  ! 

CHURCHILL.  That  is  enough,  Mr.  Birkbeck.  They  are  making  a  better 
argument  against  themselves  that  even  you  can  make. 

PECK.  I  heard  of  the  trouble  riding  in  just  now,  governor.  It  seems 
to  me  that  the  slavery  men  are  mad  to  resort  to  such  measures  as  they 
have  with  Colonel  Hansen  and  even  now  with  Mr.  Birkbeck. 


34 

COLES  (using  the  English  pronunciation).  Quid  Deus  vult  perdere  prills 
dementat. 

PECK.  Of  a  certainty,  sir.  Ira  furor  brevis  est.  And  from  my  inform- 
ants on  the  road,  they  are  certainly  angry,  as  they  are  now. 

[DE  LEERY  leaves  the  grocery  and  runs  off,  left. 
MCGAHEY.     They  certainly  were — as  mad  as  hornets. 

CHURCHILL.     We  may  well  dread  their  sting. 
COLES.     They  will  stick  at  nothing,  gentlemen. 
CHURCHILL.     Except  at  us — they  will  assuredly  stick  at  us. 

MATHER.  Now,  governor,  assured  of  Mr.  Peck's  and  Mr.  Birkbeck's 
cooperation,  what  other  resources  have  we  ? 

COLES.  I  dislike  mentioning  it,  and  I  am  sorry  I  can  do  so  little,  but 
the  freeing  of  my  father's  slaves  has  not  left  me  a  rich  man.  Yet  I 
believe  money  to  be  the  sinews  of  war,  and  to  this  righteous  war  I  will 
gladly  devote  all  the  money  I  receive  from  my  office  as  governor. 

MCGAHEY.  Why,  Mr.  Coles,  do  you  mean  you'll  spend  the  whole  four 
years,  a  thousand  dollars  a  year,  four  thousand  dollars  in  all,  to  keep 
slavery  out  of  Illinois  ? 

COLES.  Willingly,  Mr.  McGahey,  and  consider  the  money  better  invested 
than  any  money  ever  was  in  these  United  States. 

PECK.  May  God  bless  you,  Governor  Coles.  These  are  noble  words.  I 
congratulate  you,  sir. 

CADWELL.  Governor  Coles,  you  have  this  day  built  for  yc-urself  a  monu- 
ment in  the  hearts  of  every  honest  soul  in  Illinois  more  enduring  than 
bronze  or  marble. 

[All  shake  COLES'S  hand  in  congratulation. 

CHURCHILL.  The  good  doctor  knows  all  about  monuments,  governor, 
and  I  wish  to  add  my  felicitations  to  his  expert  opinion. 

MCGAHEY.     With  such  a  leader^  governor,  we  are  certain  to  win. 

[It  begins  to  grow  darker. 

BIRKBECK.  My  friend  and  yours,  George  Flower,  will  be  proud  to  hear 
this  good  news,  sir. 

PECK.  And  I  can  assure  you  that  all  my  brethren  of  the  cloth,  whether 
Baptist  or  Methodist,  are  of  one  mind  with  us  on  this.  . 

[MCDALE  and  BILLERY  come  from  the  grocery  to  the  group. 
MCDALE    (excitedly).     They're  goin'   to  git   all   your   money,   gov'nor. 
They're  goin' — 

BILLERY.  They're  goin'  to  sue  you  on  account  o'  your  freein'  your  slaves, 
gov'nor. 

MCDALE.  An'  they  say  they'll  salt  you  down  two  hundred  dollars  for 
every  darn'  critter  you  freed. 


35 

BILLERY.  An'  that's  as  much  as  your  hull  salary  for  four  year  will 
come  to,  gov'nor,  they  say. 

PECK.  Of  a  certainty  they  are  mad.  A  just  and  an  outraged  God  is 
giving  them  into  our  hand,  Governor  Coles. 

CHURCHILL.  We  do  like  fair  play  in  Illinois,  governor,  and  this  is  a 
dirty  trick. 

MATHER.     You  said  before  they  are  all  drinking  hard,  Jerry? 
MCDALE.     Drinkin'  like  salt  fish  in  fresh  water,  Mr.  Mather. 

BILLERY.  But  the  more  they  drink,  the  more  they  mean  it — and  that 
ain't  the  wust  of  it,  neither. 

MCDALE.  They're  goin'  to  give  you  a  chivaree  up  at  your  house,  gov'nor ; 
and  you,  too,  Mr.  Churchill. 

BILLERY.  An'  they're  goin'  to  burn  Colonel  Hansen  in  effigy;  they're 
stuffin'  out  some  old  clothes  now  in  there. 

[DE  LERRY  comes  back,  right,  with  two  DRUMMERS,  and  the  three 

go  into  the  grocery. 

MCDALE.  And  they  got  all  the  judges  and  senators  and  sich  in  there, 
too,  to  help. 

BILLERY.     There  go  the  drummers,  now — and  things. 

[There  is  a  roll  of  drums  within  the  grocery,  and  a  wild  clanging 

of  pots  and  pans. 

PECK.  Satan  himself  is  prompting  them  to  the  service  of  righteousness, 
gentlemen. 

CHURCHILL.  That  will  be  their  fourth  trampling  down  of  fair  play  in 
a  single  day,  governor.  And  Illinois  loves  fair  play. 

COLES.  Well,  gentlemen,  if  I  am  to  be  called  upon  by  so  distinguished 
a  body  of  jurists  and  legislators  in  advocacy  of  chattel  slavery  in  Illinois, 
the  dignity  of  my  office  requires  that  I  should  be  at  home  to  receive  them. 
Mr.  Peck,  you  will  be  my  guest  for  the  night  ?  Mr.  Birkbeck  is  staying 
with  me. 

PECK.     I  shall  be  honored,  Governor  Coles.     I  will  go  in  and  get  my 

saddle-bags. 

COLES.  No ;  walk  on  with  us,  Mr.  Peck.  Your  horse  and  impedimenta 
shall  be  sent  for. 

PECK.     You  are  most  kind,  sir. 

CHURCHILL.  I'd  better  go  my  way,  too,  and  get  ready  for  company. 
Good  night,  governor.  We  shan't  be  far  away  if  you  need  help,  sir. 

COLES  (shaking  hands  all  around).  Good  night,  gentlemen.  And  thank 
you  particularly,  Mr.  McDale  and  Mr.  Billery,  for  your  timely  informa- 


36 

tion.  With  hard  work  and  honest  work,  we  are  alread}7  assured  of  keeping 
this  beautiful  Illinois  country  free  for  our  descendants. 

[COLES,  PECK,  and  BIRKBECK  exeunt  upper  left:  the  OTHERS  of  the 
group  lower  left. 

[The  stage  dark  ens  and  a  tremendous  noise  comes  from  the 
grocery.  The  crowd  outside  gathers  to  hoot  and  jeer  as  the  door 
opens  and  into  the  light  streaming  out  comes  a  disorderly  band  of 
inebriated  men  behind  the  drummers  in  full  action,  several  drag- 
ging the  effigy  of  Colonel  Hansen,  others  with  flaring  torches,  and 
the  rest  belaboring  pots  and  pans,  prancing  and  capering,  as  they 
stream  across  the  stage  upper  left. 

(CURTAIN) 


37 


PART  IV  — THE  FRINGE  OF  FAME 


Persons  of  the  scene: 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,  captain  of  Illinois  volunteers, 

WILLIAM  KIRKPATRICK, 
JACK  ARMSTRONG, 
JACOB  COGARTY, 
GEORGE  CRIGGS, 
MATTHEW  HILVER, 

CORNELIUS  VAN  BUSK,  of  the  Illinois  volunteers. 

WILD   GOOSE   WING. 

Lieutenant  ROBERT  ANDERSON,  assistant  inspector-general,  U.  S.  A. 
Lieutenant  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 

ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS. 


TRUMPETERS  come  forth  and  flourish,  as  before. 

Enter,  as  before,  the  PERSONS  OF  THE  PROCESSION,  as  follows: 

Governor  Ninian  Edwards. 

Governor  John  Keynolds,  with  Illinois  Hangers. 
Maidens  bearing  maize  and  wheat. 
Miners  with  coal. 
The  prairie-breaking  plow. 
Winnebagoes  and  Pottawotomis. 

Pioneers  in  wagons,  at  the  last  the  Lincoln  family,  with  Abraham,  a 
bare-footed  youth  of  twenty-one. 


PROLOGUE  enters,  as  before. 

PROLOGUE 

Potentialities  undreamt  of,  powers 

Untried,  are  ours,  along  the  sunlit  ways 

Of  fought  for,  earned,  and  honorable  peace; 

So  distant,  so  desiderated  now. 

The  steamboat's  sudden  shrill  disturbs  the  old 

Harmonies  of  our  rivers.     From  beneath 

Our  far-horizoned  plains  is  hewed  again 

The  coal  which  warms  a  world  and  lights  what  fires 

Of  industry !    The  virgin  prairies  yield 

Their  immemorial  beauties  to  the  plow, 

And  where  their  blossoms  followed  the  sun's  face 

The  lordly  maize  uplifts  his  emerald  plumes, 

The  golden  wheat  shines  glorious  as  the  sun. 


38 


The  hardihood,  the  recklessness  of  youth 

Are  ours.     Our  waterways  we  see  in  visions 

So  linked  that  Commerce  smiles  in  prideful  ease; 

Our  settlements  so  bound  by  welcome  chains 

Of  iron  that  prosperity  is  near. 

Then  Black  Hawk,  of  the  race  foredoomed  of  old, 

Drips  like  a  meteor  adown  the  night, 

And  Lincoln  touches  first  the  hem  of  fame. 


A.  sunlit  opening  in  the  woods  is  shown  as  it  appeared  in  April,  1832,. 
near  Rushville  in  Schuyler  county.  It  is  filled  with  a  company  of 
Illinois  volunteers  for  the  second  war  with  Black  Hawk,  engaged  in  all 
sorts  of  busy  idleness.  The  election  of  officers  for  the  company  is 
about  to  begin,  and  WILLIAM  KIRKPATRICK  steps  up  on  a  stump  near 
the  middle  of  the  stage  to  announce  himself  a  candidate  for  the  cap- 
taincy, aided  by  several  of  his  followers. 

KIRKPATRICK.  Now,  ladies  an'  gentlemen — I  mean  gentlemen — well, 
boys,  anyhow — My  name  is  William  Kirkpatrick  and  I  hereby  nominate 
myself  for  the  honorable  position  of  captain  of  Company  Q  of  the  Hoon- 
teenth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers.  An'  I  wish  to  ask  you,  one  an' 
all,  where  was  Washington  at  the  battle  of  Waterloo?  Why,  he  was 
standing  by  my  side,  receiving  the  surrender  of  the  great  Napoleon 
Bonyparty.  Did  he  run?  Did  who  run?  He  did  not.  He  cried,  "A 
boss,  a  hoss ;  me  kingdom  for  a  hoss,"  and  thus  obtained  the  independence 
of  South  Carolina.  I  hereby  declare  the  nominations  closed.  Do  I  hear 
a  second  to  that  declaration? 

A  VOICE.     You  do  not. 

A  SECOND  VOICE.     Git  off  an'  sit  down,  Bill. 

A  THIRD  VOICE.     Of  course  you  don't.     Shut  up ! 

KIRKPATRICK.  I  do  not.  The  nominations  are  therefore  not  closed. 
But  all  who  think,  as  I  do,  that  I'll  make  the  best  captain  of  the  best 
company  of  the  best  regiment  of  the  best  old  State  in  the  Union,  Illinois, 
will  line  up  with  me  over  yonder. 

ARMSTRONG.     Why  don't  you  make  'em  a  speech,  Abe  ? 
LINCOLN.     I  shouldn't  make  'em  any  kind  of  a  captain,  Jack. 

ARMSTRONG.  0'  course  you  would.  You  kin  lick  anythin'  in  the  camp. 
Didn't  you  lick  me? 

LINCOLN.  But  I  joined  because  I  was  out  of  a  job.  What  do  I  know 
about  military  matters? 

CRIGGS.  You  know  jest  as  much  as  Bill  Kirkpatrick  or  any  o'  the  rest 
of  us. 


39 

ARMSTUONG.     Oh,  git  up  an'  make  'em  a  speech. 

IT  hose  around  begin  to  cry,  Speech.  Speech.  A  speech  from 
Abe  Lincoln.  LINCOLN,  his  face  brightening,  goes  over  with  them 
and  mounts  the  stump. 

LINCOLN.  Fellow  citizens  of  Illinois,  we  are  out  to  rescue  our  State  and 
its  defenseless  women  and  children  from  the  tomahawk  and  scalping 
knife  of  savages,  with  old  Black  Hawk  at  their  head.  I  don'  know  any 
more  about  military  matters  than  you  do,  as  my  friend  George  Criggs 
has  just  reminded  me.  But  then,  I  don'  know  any  less.  If  you  think 
I'll  make  you  a  good  enough  captain,  I'll  promise  you  I'll  make  the  very 
best  sort  of  a  captain  I  know  how  to  be ;  and  if  you'll  help  me,  I'll  make 
you  just  as  good  a  captain  as  you'll  make  soldiers — an'  maybe  a  leetle 
better.  I  thank  you. 

ARMSTRONG.  Come  on  over  here,  you  Clary's  Grove  boys,  an'  help  elect 
honest  Abe  Lincoln  our  cap'n.  He  kin  lick  anybody  in  the  company, 
an'  I  kin  lick  anybody  that  says  he  can't — an'  he  kin  lick  me — he  did, 
good  and  square,  an'  he  kin  do  it  agin.  Come  on,  boys,  all  of  you,  an' 
vote  for  honest  Abe  Lincoln,  the  strongest  and  best  man  in  the  hull  lot 
of  us. 

[ARMSTRONG  takes  LINCOLN'S  arm  and  leads  him  down,  right, 

followed  by  CRIGGS  and  many  more. 

COGARTY.  Up  here  for  Bill  Kirkpatrick,  gentlemen.  Bill's  a  good 
fellow  an'  he'll  make  us  a  good  cap'n.  I've  knowed  him  since  he  was 
born,  an'  he's  never  run  away  from  an  Injun  yit. 

[COGARTY  goes  up,  left,  to  KIRKPATRICK,  with  others. 
HILVKU  (going  over  to  Lincoln).     He  ain't  never  seen  an  Injun  to  run 
away  from.    Give  him  a  chance  once  an'  he'll  beat  us  all  a-runnin'. 

VAN  BUSK  (joining  KirTcpatrick).    We  want  a  good  runner  to  ketch  the 

Injuns — an'  Bill's  a  good  runner. 

[Loud  cries  follow  of  Vote  for  Bill !  Vote  for  Abe !  This  way 
for  the  Honorable  Bill  Kirkpatrick!  Step  this  way  for  honest 
Abe  Lincoln !  Lincoln  kin  lick  the  crowd !  Bill  kin  beat  'em  all 
runnin'.  Three  of  every  four  go  to  Lincoln. 

ARMSTRONG.     Huzza,  boys,  Lincoln'  elected ! 

KIRKPATRICK.  Now,  boys,  give  three  cheers  for  Abraham  Lincoln  who 
gits  the  votes.  Now  hip,  hip — 

OMNES.     Huzza !    Huzza !    Huzza ! 

COGARTY.     An'  a  tiger-r-r  ! 

OMNES.     Tiger-r-r-r ! 

ARMSTRONG.     Good  luck,  Cap'n  Lincoln. 

LINCOLN.  I'm  pleased  to  death,  Jack.  I  didn't  know  I  wanted  it;  but 
I  never  wanted  anything  so  much  in  my  life. 

KIRKPATRICK  (shaking  hands).  Good  luck,  Cap'n  Lincoln.  I  wouldn't 
'a'  knowed  what  to  do  with  it  if  I'd  a-srot  it.  An'  that's  the  honest  truth. 


40 

LINCOLN.  Thank  you,  Bill ;  an'  I  don'  know  what  to  do  with  it  now  that 
I  have  got  it.  I  feel  like  the  fellow  that  climbed  the  bee  tree  past  the 
bottom  hole  before  he  found  it  out.  Being  there,  he  just  had  to  stay 
and  take  it. 

A  VOICE.     What  did  he  do,  cap'n  ? 

LINCOLN.     Why,  he  just  stayed — he's  there  yet — just  as  I  am. 

HILVEK.  What's  the  word  o'  command  to  git  our  company  through  a 
gate,  cap'n? 

LINCOLN.  You  tell  'em,  "Halt!  This  company  is  dismissed  for  two 
minutes,  when  it  will  fall  in  again  on  the  other  side  o'  the  fence.  Break 
ranks !"  What  else  would  you  tell  'em  ? 

HILVEK.     I  don'  know. 

CRIGGS.     We  want  a  lef tenant,  cap'n. 

LINCOLN.     Why  not  Bill  Kirkpatrick  for  lef  tenant,  George? 

VOICES.     Why  not?    Bill's  a  good  fellow. 

ARMSTRONG.     He  got  the  next  most  votes,  Bill  did. 

HILVER.  Cap'n  Lincoln,  I  do  hereby  move  you,  sir,  that  it  is  the  unani- 
mous voice  o'  this  here  company  that  William  Kirkpatrick  be  its 
leftenant. 

LINCOLN.  You  have  all  heard  the  motion.  All  in  favor  will  manifest 
it  in  the  usual  manner. 

OMNES  (with  a  roar).     Aye! 

LINCOLN.  Contrary  minded?  The  motion  is  unanimously  carried.  I 
wish  you  luck,  Leftenant  Kirkpatrick. 

VOICES.     Speech.     Speech. 

KIRKPATRICK.  Gentlemen  and — and — others — and  Cap'n  Lincoln,  I 
thank  you  from  my  bottom  waistcoat  button.  I  thank  you. 

A  VOICE.     You  ain't  got  no  waistcoat. 

KIRKPATRICK.  From  where  the  bottom  button  of  my  waistcoat  would 
be  if  I  had  one,  I  thank  you.  I  thank  you. 

A  VOICE.     Oh,  come  off  the  stump. 

KIRKPATRICK.     I  thank  you  one  and  all,  and  Cap'n  Lincoln. 

LINCOLN.     And  now  three  cheers  for  Leftenant  Kirkpatrick.    Hip,  hip — 

OMNES.     Huzza !     Huzza !      Huzza  ! 

LINCOLN.     And  a  tiger-r-r. 

OM  NES.     Tiger-r-r-r ! 


LINCOLN.  Now,  men,  let's  get  down  to  business  and  begin  drilling. 
Form  in  two  ranks,  the  biggest  men  in  the  first,  the  runts  in  the  second. 
Leftenant  Kirkpatrick,  will  you  take  command  o'  the  rear  rank? 

KIRKPATRICK.     Aye,  aye,  sir. 

[The  awkward  squad  forms  and  begins  the  usual  evolutions. 

LINCOLN.     Left  foot  first.    Left  foot  first.    Left  foot  is  on  the  other  side 

of  you,  Private  Armstrong.     Left  foot,  right  foot,  hay  foot,  straw  foot. 

Now  that  you've  got  it,  see  that  you  keep  it. 

[The  work  is  done  seriously  and  intently,  with  occasional  bursts 
of  hastily  quenched  laughter.  After  several  minutes  it  ends. 

LINCOLN.     Halt ! 

KIRKPATRICK.       Halt ! 

LINCOLN.  Before  dismissing  the  company,  guards  will  be  stationed. 
Privates  Armstrong,  Cogarty,  Criggs,  Hilver,  Van  Busk,  station  your- 
selves at  the  approaches  to  the  camp  until  relieved.  Armstrong,  you  are 
corporal  of  the  guard. 

THOSE  NAMED.     All  right,  cap'n. 

LINCOLN.     Leftenant  Kirkpatrick,  will  you  name  the  men  for  the  relief  ? 

KIRKPATRICK.     I  will,  Cap'n  Lincoln. 

LINCOLN.     The  company  is  dismissed. 

KIRKPATRICK.     Comp'ny's  dismissed. 

[The  MEN  NAMED  take  their  stations,  VAN  BUSK  upper  right. 
The  others  group  themselves,  sitting  and  lying  down.  The  lights 
grow  dimmer. 

A  VOICE.     Tell  us  a  story,  cap'n. 

LINCOLN  (taking  out  a  jack-knife  and  beginning  to  whittle).  Did  I  ever 
tell  you  how  I  got  this  knife.  Well,  just  as  I  was  walking  down  to  enlist 
I  met  the  awkwardest,  slab-sidedest  man  I  ever  did  see.  Well,  he 
stopped  me  and  pulled  this  same  knife  out  of  his  pocket  and  he  says, 
"Stranger,  I  don'  know  who  you  are,  and  I  don'  care.  But  three  years 
ago  a  fellow  stopped  me  and  gave  me  this  knife,  and  told  me  to  keep  it 
until  I  found  somebody  homelier  'n  I  am.  And,  stranger,  it's  yourn." 

[HILVER,  on  guard,  upper  left,  fires  his   musket.     Everybody, 
guards  and  all,  rises  and  runs  to  him,  except  Van  Busk. 
ARMSTRONG.     What's  the  matter,  Mat? 

HILVER.  I  fired  at  an  Injun  carrin'  a  torch.  There — there — see  him? 
KIRKPATRICK.  See  nothin' !  Where  ? 

HILVER.  There — there — it's  growing  bigger  an'  he's  comin'  nearer. 
(Begins  reloading  his  musket  feverishly.)  Why  don'  one  o*  you  fire? 
Quick  now — he'll  git  away  ! 

LINCOLN.     Why,  Mat,  that's  the  moon. 


42 

COGARTY.     You  darn'  fool,  can't  you  tell  an  Injun  from  the  moon? 
CRIGGS.     Mat's  tryin^  to  shoot  the  moon,  boys  ! 

LINCOLN.  See  here,  men.  it's  all  right  for  the  rest  o'  you  to  come  run- 
ning up,  but  how  about  you  on  sentry  duty?  All  the  Indians  in  the 
world  could  come  in  on  us  if  they  didn't  hit  just  this  one  spot.  Con 
Van  Busk  is  the  only  soldier  in  the  company. 

ARMSTRONG.     You're  right,  cap'n. 
CRIGGS.     That's  right,  cap'n.     I  forgot. 

COGARTY.     Well,  I  won't  do  it  again,  cap'n. 

[The  THREE  go  bade  to  their  stations.     The  others  group  them- 
selves as  before. 

KIRKPATRICK.  We  got  to  be  on  our  guard  and  remember  this  ain't  goin' 
to  be  all  fun.  These  Injun  devils  don'  stop  at  nothin'.  You  ain't  forgot 
all  the  defenceless  women  an'  children  that  'a'  been  murdered  an' 
scalped. 

VOICES.  No,  we  ain't.  Let  us  men  with  muskets  git  at  'em.  They'll 
run  from  a  man  with  a  gun. 

LINCOLN.  Don't  be  too  sure.  We're  fightin'  Black  Hawk,  and  he's  an 
old  man  now;  but  he's  a  good  fighter  and  he's  up  to  all  the  tricks.  You 
haven't  forgotten  Campbell's  Island,  have  you? 

VOICES.     Tell  us  about  it,  cap'n.    It's  good  listenin'. 

LINCOLN.  You  know  there  were  three  boats  sent  up  the  river,  back  in 
1814,  with  Leftenant  Campbell  and  the  regulars  in  one,  and  Illinois 
Eangers  under  Stephen  Rector  in  another.  They  passed  the  rapids 
above  Rock  Island,  the  Eangers  ahead,  when  Campbell's  barge  was  struck 
by  a  heavy  gale  and  driven  on  the  island.  While  the  men  were  getting 
dinner,  Black  Hawk  and  a  horde  of  Sacs  and  Foxes  opened  fire  on  them, 
men,  women,  and  children,  without  warning,  killing  and  wounding. 

VOICES.     Blast  'em,  the  red  devils !    Wait  till  we  get  at  'em ! 

[The  stage  is  brightening  with  the  rising  moon. 

LINCOLN.  Eector  saw  the  smoke  down  the  river  as  the  barge  caught 
fire,  and  by  good  hard  work  steered  down  stream  until  he  got  between 
the  Indians  and  their  prey,  and  took  every  one  off  the  burning  barge, 
with  nine  killed,  a  woman  and  child  among  them,  and  sixteen  wounded. 

VOICES.  Just  like  'em,  the  dirty  devils.  We'll  avenge  'em.  No  quarter 
for  such  villains. 

VAX  BUSK  (at  his  post).     Halt!     Who  goes  there? 

WILD  GOOSE  WING  (entering  upper  riglit).  Old  Injun  friend,  me.  Me 
got  letter  Gin'ral  Cass.  Me  friend. 

VOICES.     It's  an  Injun.    Kill  him  !    Kill  him ! 

[The  CROWD  gathers  around  Van  Busk  and  Wild  Goose  Wing. 


43 

VAN  BUSK.     Halt !     Corporal  of  the  guard ! 

WILD  GOOSE  WING  (producing  letter) .     Here  letter  Gin'ral  Cass.     See ! 
Me  good  Injun. 

[The  CROWD  surges  around  him,  threateningly.    LINCOLN  makes 
his  way  through  it  with  difficulty. 
VOICES.     He's  a  spy.    The  letter's  a  forgery.    Kill  him ! 

LINCOLN.     Silence,  men,  fall  back.    I'll  attend  to  this. 

[The  CROWD  falls  back  a  moment,  and  begins  to  press  forward 
again. 

VAN  BUSK  (saluting).     He  says  he  has  a  letter  from  General  Cass,  Cap- 
tain Lincoln. 

WILD  GOOSE  WIXG  (handing  Lincoln  the  letter).     Wild  Goose  Wing  me. 
Me  hungry.    Me  lame.    See. 

LINCOLN  (reading  the  letter).     This  is  a  safe-conduct  for  Wild  Goose 
Wing,  signed  by  General  Lewis  Cass. 

VOICES.      It's  a  forgery.    He's  a  spy.    How  do  you  know  he's  the  man? 

[The  CROWD  rushes  at  the  Indian.     LINCOLN  rushes  in  between, 

throwing  the  foremost  men  aside. 
LINCOLN.     Men,  this  must  not  be  done.    He  must  not  be  killed  by  us. 

I  The  CROWD  falls  lack  and  surges  forward  again,  with  cries  of 

He's  a  spy !     Kill  him  ! 

[ARMSTRONG   comes   running  in,  pushing  his  way  through   the 

crowd. 
A  VOICE.     This  is  cowardly  on  your  part,  Lincoln. 

LINCOLN.     If  any  man  thinks  I'm  a  coward,  let  him  test  it. 
THE  VOICE.     Lincoln,  you're  bigger  and  heavier  than  any  of  us. 
ARMSTRONG  (making  his  way).     He  can  lick  any  of  you. 

LINCOLN.     You  can  guard  against  that.     Choose  your  weapons. 

[The  CROWD  begins  to  dissolve,  and  ARMSTRONG  pushes  his  way 

finally  to  Lincoln's  side,  his  musket  in  hand. 
ARMSTRONG.     You  could  'a'  licked  the  whole  lot  of  'em,  Abe. 

LINCOLN.     That  was  nothing.     I  had  Van  Busk  here,  and  he's  a  good 
soldier. 

WILD  GOOSE  WING.     Me  good  Injun.    Me  'fraid  me  dead  Injun. 
LINCOLN.     Some  of  my  men  think  they  mean  the  same  thing. 
ARMSTRONG.     That's  what's  the  matter. 

LINCOLN.     Here,  Wild  Goose  Wing,  you're  lame  and  hungry.     Sit  down 
here  and  I'll  get  you  something  to  eat. 

[The  lights  go  out,  supposedly  to  rise  upon  the  camp  on  the  Rock 

River  a  month  later.     The  company  is  grouped  about  as  before, 

with  other  guards. 

[Enter,  left,  to  pass  out  right,  Lieutenants  ROBERT  ANDERSON  and 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


44 

DAVIS.     It's  a  long  time  since  I  saw  you  at  the  Point,  Anderson. 

ANDERSON.     I  left  there  in  '25,  Davis. 

DAVIS.     I  left  in  '28,  four  years  ago.     But  I  remember  you  plainly. 

ANDERSON.  I  think  I  remember  you,  too.  But  it's  easier  to  recall  the 
men  older  than  you  than  the  men  younger,  I  find. 

DAVIS.  As  assistant  inspector-general  of  these  militiamen,  you  must 
have  your  hands  full. 

ANDERSON.  These  men  are  all  from  Illinois,  Davis,  and  directly  under 
my  inspection. 

DAVIS.     They  don't  look  much  like  our  regulars,  do  they? 

ANDERSON.  Hardly;  but  they  make  astonishingly  good  fighters,  con- 
sidering their  lack  of  training.  This  is  a  pretty  good  company. 

DAVIS.  I've  heard  something  of  their  fighting  Indians.  But  how  the 
regulars  would  mow  them  down ! 

ANDERSON.  Fm  not  so  sure  of  that,  out  here  in  the  woods  and  tall 
grass.  They  fight  Indian  fashion. 

DAVIS.     You  don't  think,  even  at  that,  they  could  stand  up  to  us  ? 

ANDERSON.  Eemember  what  happened  at  Fort  Dearborn  twenty  years 
ago.  These  men  could  quite  give  as  good  an  account  of  themselves  as 
ours  did  there. 

DAVIS.     They  were  overwhelmed  by  numbers  and  massacred. 

ANDERSON.  And  Stephen  Eector  with  his  Illinois  Eangers,  just  such 
men  as  these,  pulled  our  man  Campbell  out,  you  remember. 

DAVIS.  Well,  you're  entitled  to  your  opinion,  but  I  think  our  southern 
men  will  do  better  when  it  comes  to  open  fighting. 

ANDERSON.  This  company  has  a  good  captain,  and  that  makes  more 
diiference  even  than  with  us. 

[Exeunt  DAVIS  and  ANDERSON,  right. 
ARMSTRONG.     Do  you  know  who  that  other  officer  is,  cap'n? 

LINCOLN.  One  of  'em  is  Leftenant  Bobert  Anderson,  o'  course.  I  don't 
know  who  the  other  is,  but  you  can  tell  he's  a  West  Pointer  by  the  way 
he  carries  himself. 

ARMSTRONG.     He's  a  fine  lookin'  chap.    I  wonder  what  his  name  is. 

LINCOLN.  Well,  he  probably  isn't  wondering  what  your  name  is,  Jack, 
or  what  mine  is. 

ARMSTRONG.     I  wonder  if  I'll  ever  see  him  again. 

LINCOLN.     We're  more  likely  to  see  and  hear  o'  him  than  he  is  of  us. 

VAN  BUSK  (coming  up).     Who  are  you  talking  about,  cap'n?  , 


45 

ARMSTRONG.     That  slim  fine  lookin'  chap  with  Leftenant  Anderson. 

VAN  BUSK.  Oh,  that's  Leftenant  Jefferson  Davis.  He's  from  Mississippi. 
I've  heard  he's  sweet  on  Colonel  Zachary  Taylor's  daughter. 

LINCOLN.  Curious,  isn't  it?  what  a  start  a  thorough  training  in  any 
profession  will  give  a  man.  Now  that  young  fellow  might  become 
president. 

ARMSTRONG.  President  of  the  United  States?  I  reckon  not.  I'll  back 
you  for  as  good  a  chance  as  he's  got,  Abe  Lincoln. 

(CURTAIN) 


46 


PART  V— THE  WEST'S  FIRST  SHOT 


Persons  of  the  scene: 

Brigadier-General  RICHARD  KELLOGG  SWIFT,  of  the  Illinois  State  Militia. 

Colonel  BENJAMIN  M.  PRENTISS,  commandant  at  Cairo. 

Colonel  SAMUEL  s.  TAYLOR,  mayor  of  Cairo. 

Captain  JOHN  H.  CLYBOURNE,  company  B,  Chicago  Zouaves. 

Captain  JAMES  SMITH,  Chicago  Light  Artillery. 

First  Lieutenant   (afterward  Captain)    CHARLES  M.  WILLARD,  Chicago 

Light  Artillery. 
Third  Lieutenant  JOHN  RUDOLPH  BOTSFORD,  Chicago  Light  Artillery. 

FIRST  ORDERLY. 
SECOND  ORDERLY. 

Brigadier-General  ULYSSES  s.  GRANT,  lately  colonel  21st  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry. 

Colonel  RICHARD  j.  OGLESBY,  commandant  at  Cairo,  8th  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry. 

Colonel  E.  A.  PAINE,  9th  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Colonel  JOHN  MCARTHUR,  llth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Captain  ANDREW  HULL  FOOTE,  United  States  Navy. 

Colonel  MONROE  STICKBRIDGE,  of  Missouri. 

Colonel  PINGLETON  DIBKINS,  of  Kentucky. 

A  SCOUT. 

THIRD  ORDERLY. 
FOURTH  ORDERLY. 

Illinois  militiamen  and  volunteers. 

Citizens  of  Cairo,  men,  women,  and  children. 


TRUMPETERS  come  forth  and  flourish,  as  before. 

Enter,  as  before,  the  PERSONS  OF  THE  PROCESSION,  as  follows: 

Persons  of  the  procession: 

Governor  Thomas  Ford. 

The  Railways,  Canals,  Factories,  and  Banks  of  Illinois. 

The  Illinois  Colleges  founded  before  the  Civil  War. 

The  Twelve  Mormon  Apostles,  with  soldiers  of  the  Nauvoo  Legion. 

Governor  Augustus  C.  French. 

Brigadier-General  Michael  Shields,  Colonels  John  J.  Hardin,  William 

II.  Bipsell,  Ferris  Foreman,  Edward  D.  Baker,  with  soldiers  of  the 

Mexican  War. 

The  Underground  Railroad. 

Abraham  Lincoln  and  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  with  cheering  followers. 
Governor  Richard  Yates,  with  soldiers  of  the  Civil  War. 


47 
PROLOGUE  enters,  as  before. 

PROLOGUE 

Slowly  we  grope  our  way  thro'  brightening  shades, 

Thro'  ignorance  and  imi'aith  toward  morning  stars — 

The  soulless  ignorance  of  selfishness, 

The  heartless  lack  of  faith  in  humankind — 

Until  we  hail  the  dawn  and  splendid  sun. 

We  fight  a  greedy  superstitution  here, 

We  conquer  honor  from  repudiation, 

And  at  the  lasts  confront  old  Slavery, 

Enshrined,  entrenched,  yet  shameless  now 

That  heightened  standards  prove  his  wickedness. 

War  still  is  ours;  we  fight  for  liberty 

At  home  and  in  the  field.     We  found  our  schools, 

Those  constant  guides  on  strait  and  narrow  paths 

The  while  we  clamber  up  our  mountainous  ways. 

In  Mexico  our  sons  approve  their  birth, 

Dauntless,  invincible,  and  generous. 

Then  broader  knowledge,  sounder  wisdom  bring 

The  deepening  sense  of  spiritual  things. 

The  South  begins  to  smoulder,  and  the  North 

Takes  fire  thereat,  and  in  the  glow  our  Grant 

Is  fashioned  to  a  blade  of  conquering  flame. 


The  back  of  the  scene  is  filled  with  a  levee,  covered  with  weedy  vegetation, 
up  which  a  wooden  staircase  rises  to  the  top,  a  little  right  of  center. 
On  the  crest  stands  one  of  the  brass  six-pounders  of  the  Chicago  Light 
Artillery,  with  fixed  ammunition  piled  near,  the  men  of  the  battery 
under  Lieutenant  BOTSFORD  on  guard,  and  militiamen  patrolling  its 
length.  Under  the  shadow  of  the  levee  are  tents  for  the  ununiformed 
soldiers,  who  are  standing  and  lying  about.  In  the  foreground,  a  little 
left  of  center,  is  the  tent  of  General  Swift,  commanding,  the  Stars  and 
Stripes  flying  on  a  staff  in  front  of  it,  General  SWIFT  writing  at  a  table 
within,  the  First  and  Second  Orderlies  in  front.  It  is  Cairo,  Alexander 
county,  in  lat&  April,  1861,  and  the  inhabitants,  men<,  women,  and 
children,  are  strolling  about  as  far  as  the  sentries  will  permit,  curious 
and  eager  at  the  preparation  for  immediate  war. 

FIRST  ORDERLY.  We  made  a  mighty  good  run  of  it  down  from  Chicago, 
Jim. 

SECOND  ORDERLY.  Didn't  we  ?  I  never  went  so  fast  in  my  life.  How 
far  is  it,  Bill  ? 

FIRST  ORDERLY.  Somebody  said  it  was  365  miles — that's  an  easy  one 
to  remember. 

SECOND  ORDERLY.  Well,  it  was  a  mighty  good  run.  We  left  at  eleven 
o'clock  Sunday  night,  made  a  long  stop  fit  the  Big  Muddy  at  five  o'clock 
Monday  morning — 


48 

FIRST  ORDERLY.     I  wonder  how  Captain  Haydon  and  his  Zouaves  are 
enjoying  it! 

SECOND  ORDERLY.     That's  only  six  hours;  and  we  had  a  good  meal  at 
Centralia. 

FIRST  ORDERLY.     And  got  here  at  eleven  o'clock  last  night.     Nobody 
could  have  done  better  than  that. 

SECOND  ORDERLY.     And  we're  the  first  men  off  to  war  in  the  West. 

FIRST  ORDERLY.     That's  something  for  Illinois  to  be  proud  of. 

[Enter,  left,  Colonel  TAYLOR.     The  FIRST  ORDERLY  steps  up  to 

him. 

TAYLOR.     I  am  Colonel  Taylor,  the  mayor  of  Cairo.     I  saw  General 
Swift  last  night,  and  I'd  like  to  speak  to  him  again. 

FIRST  ORDERLY.     Certainly,  Colonel  Taylor? 

TAYLOR.     Yes,  sir;  I'm  the  mayor.     My  business  is  important. 

[The  FIRST  ORDERLY  goes  to  General  SWIFT  and  salutes. 
FIRST  ORDERLY.     General  Swift,   Colonel  Taylor,  the  mayor  of  Cairo, 
wishes  to  see  you  on  important  business. 

[SWIFT  rises  and  goes  to  TAYLOR  with  a  cordial  greeting. 
SWIFT.     I'm  glad  to  see  you  looking  so  well  this  morning,  Colonel  Taylor. 
It  was  good  of  you  to  board  the  train  last  night,  and  the  information 
you  gave  was  valuable.     Have  a  chair. 

TAYLOR  (seating  himself).     Thank  you,  sir.     As  Senator  Douglas  says, 
"There  can  be  no  neutrals  in  this  war ;  only  patriots — or  traitors." 

SWIFT.     And  he  added,  speaking  for  all  of  us,  "Thank  God,  Illinois  is 
not  divided !"    So  I  find  it  here. 

TAYLOR.     But  I  am  glad  to  see  you  and  your  boys  down  here  just  the 
same,  general.    I  don't  think  you  got  here  a  minute  too  soon. 

SWIFT.     You  told  me  last  night  that  you  had  fears  for  the  levees;  that 
you  thought  they  might  be  cut. 

TAYLOR.     It  is  a  great  relief  to  see  your  men  on  guard  and  the  cannon 
posted  to  command  the  river. 

SWIFT.     I  was  given  to  understand  that  the  Confederates  were  about  to 
move  upon  the  city. 

TAYLOR.     Both  from  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  general.     And  this  is  a 
most  important  point,  sir,  for  any  further  prosecution  of  the  war. 

[A  MESSENGER  brings  a  dispatch  which  the  FIRST  ORDERLY  takes 

and  receipts  for,  bringing  it  to  SWIFT. 

SWIFT.     Yes,  indeed.    We've  taken  steps  to  command  both  of  the  rivers. 
(Takes  the  dispatch).    You  will  pardon  me,  sir,  if  I  read  my  dispatch? 

TAYLOR.     Certainly,  general.     Don't  let  me  interrupt  you,  sir. 

[SWIFT  reads  the  message. 
SWIFT.     Orderly. 


49 

SECOXD  ORDERLY.     Yes,  general. 

SWIFT.  My  compliments  to  Captain  Clybourne  of  company  B,  the  Chi- 
cago Zouaves,  and  ask  Captain  Smith  of  the  Chicago  Light  Artillery  to 
come  here  with  him,  immediately. 

SECOND  ORDERLY.     Yes,  general.     [Salutes  and  goes  out,  right. 

SWIFT.  This  is  interesting.  (Reads).  "Carbondale,  April  22.  Force 
of  five  hundred  men  recruiting  here  to  destroy  bridge  over  Big  Muddy. 
Send  help." 

TAYLOR.  You  told  me  last  night  that  you  had  left  Captain  Haydon  and 
a  company  of  the  Chicago  Zouaves  there  at  the  bridge. 

SWIFT.  Yes,  colonel ;  but  they  could  hardly  hold  it  against  such  a  force. 
But  I've  been  expecting  trouble  there.  The  engineers  on  the  train 
refused  to  cross  the  bridge  at  first. 

TAYLOR.  One  of  your  men  told  me  that  you  went  over  the  bridge  alone, 
bare-headed,  shirt-sleeved,  and  your  suspenders  dangling,  a  shotgun  in 
your  hand. 

SWIFT.  Well,  something  had  to  be  done  to  quiet  the  fear  of  bush- 
whackers. 

[Enter,  right,  the  SECOND  ORDERLY  with  CLYBOURNE  and  SMITH, 

who  come  up  to  SWIFT  and  salute. 

SWIFT.  Captain  Clybourne,  take  company  B  of  the  Zouaves  back  to  the 
bridge  at  the  Big  Muddy  and  report  for  duty  to  Captain  Haydon,  now 
on  guard  there. 

CLYBOURNE  (saluting).     Very  well,  general. 

SWIFT.  Captain  Smith,  detail  one  gun  and  the  necessary  officers  and 
men  for  service  at  the  Big  Muddy  under  Captain  Clybourne's  orders. 
Written  instructions  will  be  furnished  you. 

SMITH  (saluting).     Very  well,  general. 

SWIFT.  You  will  find  the  engine  with  steam  up.  Start  immediately, 
gentlemen. 

CLYBOURNE  and  SMITH.     Very  well,  general. 

CLYBOURNE  (going  up,  right).     Company  B,  Chicago  Zouaves,  fall  in. 
[A  number  of  men  rise  and  form  in  fours. 

SMITH  (going  up,  left).     Lieutenant  Willard. 
WILLARD  (coming  forward).    Here,  captain. 

SMITH.  Load  one  of  the  guns  on  the  train  again,  and  take  your  men 
under  Captain  Clybourne's  order  back  to  the  Big  Muddy  to  reinforce 
Captain  Haydon. 


50 

WILLARD.     Very  well,  sir.     Battery,  fall  in. 

[A  number  of  men  rise  and  form  in  rank. 
CLYBOURNE.     Forward  by  fours.     March  ! 

WILLARD.     Forward,  march ! 

[Exeunt,  right,  CLYBOURNE  and  WILLARD  with  their  commands. 

SWIFT  begins  writing. 

[Enter,  left,  Colonel  PRENTISS.    SWIFT  finishes  his  writing  before 

looking  up. 

[TAYLOR  rises  and  goes  to  meet  PRENTISS. 

TAYLOR.  Why,  how  do  you  do,  Colonel  Prentiss?  I'm  glad  to  see  you 
here,  sir. 

PRENTISS.  How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Mayor  ?  This  is  a  pleasure,  and  not  an 
unexpected  one. 

SWIFT  (looking  up).     Why,  Colonel  Prentiss,  how  do  you  do,  sir? 

PRENTISS  (shaking  hands).  They've  sent  me  down  to  relieve  you, 
general. 

SWIFT.  Yes,  I  have  had  my  orders.  You  will  find  everything  in  as 
good  order  as  we  have  been  able  to  command  in  so  short  a  time,  colonel. 

PRENTISS.     I'm  sure  of  that,  general. 

SWIFT.  I've  just  sent  company  B  of  the  Chicago  Zouaves  and  a  gun 
with  the  Chicago  Light  Artillery  back  to  the  Big  Muddy  to  reinforce 
Captain  Hay  don  and  company  A  of  the  Zouaves  there.  [He  hands 
Prentiss  the  dispatch. 

PRENTISS  (reading).  That  will  take  care  of  the  situation,  I'm  sure.  I 
think  the  dispatch  a  trifle  exaggerated. 

SWIFT.     Orderly. 

FIRST  ORDERLY.     Here,  general. 

SWIFT  (handing  him  the  orders  he  has  just  written).  Take  these  to 
Captain  Clybourne.  You'll  find  him  at  the  depot. 

FIRST  ORDERLY.     Very  well,  general.       [Hastens  off,  right. 

PRENTISS.  I've  just  received  a  dispatch  from  Governor  Yates  on  my 
way  down,  general.  (Reads.)  "The  steamers  C.  E.  Hillman  and  John 
D.  Perry  have  left  St.  Louis  with  arms  and  munitions.  Stop  said  boats 
and  seize  all  the  arms  and  munitions."  The  governor  signs  it  as  com- 
mander-in-chief. 

TAYLOR.  That  shows  the  importance  of  occupying  this  point,  gentle- 
men. You  can  cut  off  all  supplies  coming  down  both  rivers. 

PRENTISS.     I  see  you  have  cannon  posted,  general. 


51 

SWIFT.  On  both  rivers,  colonel.  This  one  takes  care  of  the  Mississippi. 
Orderly. 

SECOND  OKDERLY.     Here,  general. 

SWIFT.     My  compliments  again  to  Captain  Smith. 

SECOND  ORDEELY.     Very  well,  general. 

[He  finds  SMITH  up  left,  salutes,  and  they  return  to  the  tent  to- 
gether. 

SWIFT.     Part  of  the  battery  is  at  Bird's  Point,  across  the  river  in 

Missouri. 

SMITH  (coming  up  and  saluting).     At  your  service,  general. 

SWIFT.  Captain  Smith,  this  is  Colonel  Prentiss,  who  assumes  com- 
mand. [They  shake  hands. 

PRENTISS.  Captain  Smith,  I  have  just  had  a  dispatch  from  Governor 
Yates  stating  that  two  steamers  loaded  with  arms  and  munitions  left 
St.  Louis  some  time  ago  and  are  on  the  way  down  the  river  to  give  aid 
and  comfort  to  our  enemies.  Have  your  men  keep  a  sharp  lookout. 

SMITH.     Very  well,  sir.     Shall  I  fire  on  them,  sir? 
PRENTISS.     Have  you  any  fixed  ammunition,  captain? 

SMITH.  Yes,  sir;  four  hundred  rounds.  Philetus  Gates  opened  his 
foundry  in  Chicago  last  Sunday  morning  and  cast  cannon  balls  for  us 
until  the  last  minute. 

PRENTISS.  Admirable.  Fire  a  blank  shot,  captain,  and  if  they  do  not 
heave  to  promptly,  send  a  solid  shot  across  their  bows.  That  will  bring 
them  to. 

SMITH  (saluting).  Very  well,  sir.  I'd  like  to  have  the  honor  of  order- 
ing the  first  shot  fired  here  in  the  West. 

[SMITH  goes  up  the  steps  to  the  top  of  the  levee  and  confers  with 
BOTSFORD,  pointing  up  the  river  and  conveying  his  orders  inaudibly 
to  the  audience.    This  done,  he  descends  and  goes  off,  right. 
PRENTISS.     What  is  the  feeling  hereabouts,  Colonel  Taylor? 

TAYLOR.  Very  much  better  since  General  Swift  got  here,  sir.  I  heard 
an  old  farmer  say  on  my  way  down  this  morning,  refering  to  the  artil- 
lery, "I'll  tell  you  what  it  is,  Mr.  Mayor,  them  brass  missionaries  has 
converted  a  heap  o'  folks  that  was  on  the  anxious  seat." 

PRENTISS.     There  was  some  secessionist  feeling? 

TAYLOR.  Not  much,  since  Senator  Douglas  sent  out  his  message  calling 
all  his  followers  to  the  Flag  to  preserve  the  Union.  That  was  a  noble 
and  a  patriotic  thing  to  do,  sir,  and  it  has  cleared  the  atmosphere 
throughout  Alexander  country  wonderfully.  But  I  was  glad  to  see  the 
levees  patrolled  none  the  less. 

PRENTISS.     You  feared  they  would  be  cut? 


52 

TAYLOR.  I  did,  sir.  We  are  too  near  slave  territory  not  to  have  our 
suspicions. 

SWIFT.  The  feeling  across  the  rivers  is  bad,  but  not  unexpectedly  so. 
Douglas  is  powerless  there — as  powerless  as  Lincoln. 

PRENTISS  (taking  a  newspaper  from  his  pocket).  Here  is  the  manner 
in  which  the  governors  about  us  have  been  replying  to  the  President's 
demand  for  soldiers  (reading) :  Governor  Jackson  of  Missouri  says, 
"Your  requisition  is  illegal,  unconstitutional,  revolutionary,  inhumane, 
diabolical,  and  cannot  be  complied  with." 

TAYLOR.     He  has  a  fine  feeling  for  adjectives,  hasn't  he? 

PRENTISS.  And  Governor  Magoffin  of  Kentucky  says,  "Kentucky  will 
furnish  no  troops  for  the  wicked  purpose  of  subduing  her  sister  States." 

TAYLOR.  That  means  that  the  governor  won't.  Kentucky  herself  will 
give  us  plenty  of  men. 

PRENTISS.  And  Governor  Harris  says,  "Tennessee  will  not  furnish  a 
single  man  for  coercion ." 

TAYLOR.  He  is  mistaken.  Governor  Andrew  Johnson,  his  predecessor, 
is  as  loyal  as  any  man  in  the  North. 

SWIFT.     I'm  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,  sir. 

TAYLOR.  Well,  gentlemen,  I've  taken  up  too  much  of  your  time  already. 
Let  me  know  if  there  is  anything  I  can  do  for  you  in  any  way  possible. 

PRENTISS.  Don't  go  yet,  Mr.  Mayor.  We're  likely  to  have  word  from 
one  of  those  steamers  at  any  moment  now,  and  you'd  like  to  see  the  first 
shot  fired  in  the  West,  I  know.  Besides,  there  are  some  things  we  should 
discuss  before  General  Swift  returns  to  Chicago.  Orderly.  [The  FIRST 
ORDERLY  salutes.)  See  that  we  are  not  disturbed  for  several  minutes. 
[The  three  let  down  the  flap  of  the  tent  and  are  lost  from  view. 
FIRST  ORDERLY.  There's  mud  enough  here  to  build  levees  a  hundred 
feet  high. 

SECOND  ORDERLY.  It's  the  chief  article  of  domestic  manufacture  in  Illi- 
nois. But  didn't  you  know  that  Dickens  and  Trollope  have  both  cele- 
brated the  mud  here  in  Cairo  ? 

FIRST  ORDERLY.  Well,  what  else  is  there  to  celebrate  ?  If  they  need  any 
more,  we  have  some  we  can  spare  in  Chicago. 

SECOND  ORDERLY.  Oh,  we're  getting  pavements  here  and  there,  down 
town  anyway.  Give  'em  time  here  in  Cairo  and  they'll  pull  them- 
selves out. 

[A  steamboat  whistle  is  heard  faintly  in  the  distance. 
FIRST  ORDERLY.     Wasn't  that  a  steamboat  whistle? 

SECOND  ORDERLY.     I'll  bet  that's  the  C.  E.  Hillman. 


FIRST  ORDERLY.     Don't  you  think  we  ought  to  tell  them  inside  there? 

SECOND  ORDERLY.     My  guess  is  that  we'd  better  wait  until  we're  spoken 
to  before  we  speak. 

FIRST  ORDERLY.     Well,  we  don't  want  to  get  blamed  for  letting  them 
miss  anything. 

[The  whistle  is  heard  again,  louder.     The  tent  flap  lifts  and 

PRENTISS'S  head  comes  out. 

PRENTISS.     Didn't  I  hear  a  steamboat  whistle? 

SECOND  ORDERLY.     Yes,  sir.    That's  the  second  time  she's  whistled. 

[PRENTISS,  SWIFT,  and  TAYLOR  come  out.  A  steam  calliope  is 
heard  playing  the  chorus  of  "My  Darling  Nelly  Gray." 
[The  soldiers  in  the  background,  interested  at  the  first  whistle, 
grow  animated  and  begin  running  up  the  steps  to  the  top  of  the 
levee,  going  down  to  the  ends  of  it,  right  and  left.  SMITH  goes 
up  and  takes  command. 

PRENTISS.     There  she  is.    That  must  be  the  Hillmau. 

TAYLOR.     Yes,  colonel ;  that's  her  music. 

[PRENTISS,  beckoning  the  two  ORDERLIES  to  accompany  him,  goes 
up  the  steps  and  stands  near  the  cannon.    SWIFT  and  TAYLOR  fol- 
low and  take  their  positions  at  some  distance  from  it. 
[Under  SMITH'S  order  the  gun  is  loaded  and  swung  around  in  aim. 

PRENTISS.     You'd  better  fire,  captain. 

SMITH.     Fire ! 

[BOTSFORD  pulls  the  lanyard  and  the  cannon  booms. 
PRENTISS.     She  holds  her  course.    Solid  shot,  captain. 

SMITH.     Load.     (The  men  obey.     BOTSFORD  salutes.)     Fire ! 

[The  calliope  goes  silent,  as  the  gun  goes  off. 

PRENTISS.     That  gets  her.     The  solid  shot  did  it.     She's  heading  for 
this  wharf.     Captain  Smith,  stand  ready  to  board  her  with  your  men. 

SMITH.     Very  well,  sir. 

BOTSFORD.     Well,  there  goes  the  first  shot  of  the  war  for  Illinois  and 
the  West. 

[The  lights  dim  amid  the  loud  cheering  of  the  men,  to  rise  upon 
the  same  scene  early  in  September  of  the  same  year.  The  levees 
are  patrolled  by  men  in  uniform,  and  those  in  the  background  are 
also  uniformed,  as  are  the  artillerymen. 

[Colonel  RICHARD  j.  OGLESBY,  commandant,  is  seated  in  the  head- 
quarters tent,  with  the  THIRD  and  FOURTH  ORDERLIES,  also  uni- 
formed, in  front  of  it.  Colonels  DIBKINS  and  STICKBRIDGE  are 
before  him. 

DIBKINS.     Colonel  Oglesby,  sir,  I  am,  like  you,  sir,  a  Kentucky  gen- 
tleman. 

OGLESBY.     What  is  your  name,  sir? 


54 

DIBKINS.  Colonel  Dibkins,  sir;  Colonel  Pingleton  Dibkins,  of  the  Four 
Crossings,  sir. 

OGLESBY.  I  am  pleased  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Colonel  Dibkins. 
And  what  can  I  do  for  you  ? 

DIBKINS.  Some  of  your  men,  sir — I  have  reason  to  believe  it  was  some 
of  your  men — were  prowling  around  my  plantation,  sir,  and  they  pounced 
upon  and  carried  off  three  of  my  sucking  pigs,  Colonel  Oglesby. 

OGLESBY  (making  notes).     My  men  are  all  in  uniform,  Colonel  Dibkins. 

Have  you  seen  a  federal  uniform  near  Four  Crossings  ? 

[Enter,  left,  General  GRANT  in  citizen's  clothing.  The  THIRD 
ORDERLY  goes  to  him  and  is  given  his  name,  but  does  not  catch 
it.  He  ushers  GRANT  to  the  tent.  OGLESBY  looks  up  inquiringly. 

GRANT  (softly).     I  am  General  Grant. 

OGLESBY  (failing  to  get  the  name).  Won't  you  take  a  seat,  sir.  I  shall 
be  at  liberty  in  a  moment. 

[GRANT  seats  himself  at  the  corner  of  the  table  within. 
DIBKINS.     No,  sir;  I  can't  say  that  anybody  has  seen  any  of  your  men  in 
uniform,  sir.    But  then  they  wouldn't  be  likely  to  put  on  uniforms  when 
they  went  a-stealing  my  sucking  pigs,  Colonel  Oglesby. 

STICKBRIDGE.     Fd  like  to  ask  a  favor  of  you,  Colonel  Oglesby. 

OGLESBY.  In  just  a  moment,  sir.  You  were  saying  that  no  men  in 
federal  uniform  had  been  seen  around  your  place  lately,  Colonel  Dibkins  ? 

DIBKINS.     No,  sir — yes,  sir — that  is  to  say — 

OGLESBY.  Let  me  assure  you,  sir,  that  my  men  have  no  other  clothing, 
nor  have  they  any  means  of  getting  across  the  Ohio  Eiver  at  this  point, 
sir. 

DIBKINS.     But,  sir,  who  else  could  have  taken  my  pigs,  sir? 
OGLESBY.     Didn't  you  ever  lose  any  pigs  before  the  war,  colonel  ? 

DIBKINS.  Yes,  sir ;  I  occasionally  lost  a  pig,  sir.  But  I  never  lost  three 
at  once  before,  sir. 

OGLESBY.  Well,  I'll  promise  that  my  men  will  never  go  to  your  place 
except  in  uniform,  colonel,  and  that  they  shan't  steal  any  pigs  when 
they  do. 

DIBKINS.     Yes,  sir;  that's  very  kind  of  you.     Thank  you,  sir. 

[Exit  DIBKINS,  left. 

STICKBRIDGE.  My  name  is  Colonel  Stickbridge,  Colonel  Monroe  Stick- 
bridge,  of  Bird's  Point  across  the  river,  Colonel  Oglesby,  and  I'd  like  to 
ask  a  favor  of  you,  sir. 

OGLESBY. — What  is  it,  sir  ? 

[GRANT  takes  a  sheet  of  paper  from  the  table  and  begins  to  write. 


55 

STICKBRIDGE.  Your  quartermaster  at  Bird's  Point,  colonel,  is  buying 
corn  and  hogs  and  other  provisions  all  around  me,  sir,  and  I'd  like  to  ask 
you  to  see  that  he  buys  of  me  also. 

OGLESBY.     You  are  selling  at  the  same  price  as  your  neighbors,  colonel? 

STICKBRIDGE.  Well,  sir,  I  may  be  asking  a  little  more,  but  it  is  only 
because  I  know  I  have  better  corn  and  fatter  hogs. 

OGLESBY  (writing).  I  have  a  memorandum  of  your  name,  colonel,  and 
I  know  the  quartermaster  will  be  glad  to  purchase  if  you  can  meet  his 
terms,  Colonel  Stickbridge. 

STICKBRIDGE.     Thank  you,  Colonel  Oglesby.     Thank  you,  sir. 

[Exit  STICKBRIDGE,   left. 

[GRANT  hands  the  paper  upon  which   he  has  been  writing  to 

OGLESBY  and  rises.    OGLESBY  takes  it. 

OGLESBY  (reading).  "Order  No.  1.  The  undersigned  hereby  assumes 
command  of  the  military  post  at  Cairo.  Colonel  Eichard  J.  Oglesby, 
commanding,  is  hereby  directed  to  turn  over  the  command  to  the  under- 
signed, and  is  assigned  to  take  command  at  Bird's  Point."  Signed, 
"IT.  S.  Grant."  (lie  springs  to  his  feet,  salutes,  and  holds  out  his  hand). 
I  beg  your  pardon,  General  Grant,  but  I  didn't  catch  your  name  when 
you  came  in,  sir. 

[GRANT  shaJces  hands,  motions  OGLESBY  to  his  chair,  and  seats 

himself. 

OGLESBY.  I  never  dreamt  it  was  you,  sir.  Will  you  forgive  me,  general. 
( GRANT  nods).  You  are  assuming  command?  ('GRANT  nods).  And  I 
am  to  take  command  at  Bird's  Point?  (Grant  nods).  The  orders  to 
take  effect  immediately,  sir  ?  [GRANT  nods,  and  OGLESBY  rises. 

ORANT  (motioning  Oglesby  to  his  seat).    What  have  you  here,  colonel? 

OGLESBY  (taking  his  seat).  Two  good  regiments,  general,  the  Ninth 
Illinois,  Colonel  E.  A.  Paine,  and  the  Eleventh  Illinois,  Colonel  John 
McArthur,  with  the  Chicago  Light  Artillery,  Captain  Willard,  at  Camp 
Smith,  three  miles  up  the  river.  Would  you  like  to  meet  these  officers, 
general?  f  GRANT  nods).  Orderly. 

FOURTH  ORDERLY.     Yes,  colonel. 

OGLESBY.  General  Grant's  compliments  to  Colonels  Paine  and  Mc- 
Arthur, and  will  they  attend  him  at  headquarters  immediately. 

FOURTH  ORDERLY.     Yes,  colonel.     [Exit,  left. 

[Enter,  right,  the  SCOUT.    He  whispers  to  the  THIRD  ORDERLY, 

who  brings  him  to  the  tent. 
SCOUT  (saluting  and  addressing  Oglesby).    Colonel, — 

[OGLESBY  directs  him  to  Grant  with  a  wave  of  his  hand. 
SCOUT     (saluting).     Colonel — ^GRANT    shakes    his    head).     General — 
f  GRANT  nods).     General,  I've  been  out  a-scoutin'  for  Gin'ral  Fremont, 
an'  I'm  jest  across  the  river  from  Knintuck.     Gin'ral  Jeff  Thompson  is 
twenty  miles  down  the  river — 


56 


GRANT.     What  river? 


SCOUT.     The  3Iissjssip',  at  Columbus,  an'  is  about  to  move  on  Paclucah, 
sir. 

GRANT.     How  many  men? 

SCOTT.     About  a  thousan',  gin'ral,  an'  more  comin'  all  the  time. 

GRANT.     Thank  you. 

[The  SCOUT  stands  for  a  moment,  silent  and  ratlier  perplexed,  and 

goes  off,  right. 
OGLESBY.     That's  interesting. 

GRANT.     I'd  like  to  make  it  interesting  for  old  Jeff  Thompson. 

[Enter,  with  FOURTH  ORDERLY,  Colonels  PAINE  and  MCARTHUR, 
left.  They  salute  and  shake  hands  with  GRANT. 

GRANT  (after  the  greetings).     Orderly.     (Begins  to  write).    My  compli- 
ments to  Captain  Foote.    Bring  him  back.    Hasten. 

[Exit  THIRD  ORDERLY,  right,  running. 

GRANT.     Just  in  time,  gentlemen.     Your   command  ready  to   march, 
Colonel  Paine? 

PAINE.     Yes,  general,  the  Ninth  Illinois  is  ready. 

GRANT.     Yours,  Colonel  McArthur? 

MCARTHUR.     Yes,  general,  the  Eleventh  Illinois  is  ready. 

GRANT.     Good.     Orderly. 

FOURTH  ORDERLY.     Yes,  general. 

GRANT  (handing  him  what  he  has  just  written).     Get  this  on  the  wire 
to  Captain  Willard. 

[Exit  FOURTH  ORDERLY,  left,  running. 

Enter,  right,  the  THIRD  ORDERLY,  with  Captain  FOOTE,  who  salutes 

GRANT. 
GRANT.     Transportation  for  two  regiments  and  a  battery,  Captain  Foote  ? 

FOOTE.     Yes,  general. 

GRANT.     Steam  up  ? 

FOOTE.     Yes,  general.     The  Tyler  and  Conestaga  are  lying  ready. 

GRANT.     Order  your  men  aboard,  gentlemen.     The  battery  will  be  here. 

[PAINE,  MCARTHUR,  and  FOOTE  salute  and  exeunt. 
OGLESBY.     You'll  get  there  first,  general? 

GRANT.     Always  get  there  first,  Colonel  Oglesby. 

[The  sound  of  drums  is  heard,  followed  by  a  band  striking  up 
''John  Brown's  Body,"  and  the  two  regiments  swing  in,  their 
colonels  at  their  head,  upper  left,  and  pass  out  lower  right,  the 
men  singing. 

(CURTAIN) 


57 


PART  VI— (FROM  LOCAL  HISTORY) 

The  procession,  prologue,  and  scene  are  to  be  written  from  the  local 
his lorv  of  the  celebrating  community. 

At  the  fall  of  the  curtain  on  Part  VI,  the  TRUMPETERS  come  forth,  as 
before,  escorting  PROLOGUE,  who  speaks. 

PROLOGUE 

Peace  lights  her  altar  lights  oiice  more,  and  we, 
Busy  so  long  in  searching  out  our  store 
From  field  and  forest,  industry  and  trade, 
Look  up  and  find  the  shrine  of  beauty  here. 
Loveliness  of  soul,  sanctity  of  spirit 
Alike  are  blossoming  beneath  our  dome. 
NO  more  we  plead  the  sad  excuse  of  Cain, 
But  know  all  men  our  brethren;  and  no  more 
Disdain  as  worthless  Art,  so  heavenly  fair ! 
\\edded  to  peace,  who  brings  such  gifts,  are  we; 
When  on  a  sudden  wakened  as  from  sleep 
Far  to  the  east  a  conflagration  bursts, 
And  all  our  skies  are  overcast  and  dim, 
Lurid  with  hate  and  flickering  with  fear. 
We,  who  had  doubly  warred  for  independence, 
For  freedom  from  the  savage,  Texas  unchained, 
All  slaves  made  freemen,  Cuba's  bonds  dissolved, 
We,  Illinoisans  and  Americans, 
We  and  our  Sisters,  Liberty's  children  all, 
Arise  to  strike  another  blow  for  Freedom, 
A  final  blow,  whereby  to  end  all  war. 


There  follows  the  PROCESSION  OF  THE  NATIONS,  as  follows: 

America,  with  soldiers  and  sailors. 

Serbia,  Montenegro,  Belgium,  France,  Russia, 

Great  Britain,  with  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  Wales;  Canada,  South 

Africa,  Australia,  New  Zealand,  Newfoundland,  India,  Egypt; 
Italy,  Portugal,  Rumania,  Poland,  Bohemia, 
Japan,  China, 

Brazil,  Cuba,  Panama,  Guatemala,  Liberia, 
Illinois,  with   the    Centennial    Banner   borne    by   groups  of    American 

soldiers  from  the  previous  wars — the  Revolution,  1812,  Black  Hawk's, 

Mexican,  Spanish,  and  Civil  Wars. 
Tht'M'  last  will  sing  "The  Star-Spangled  Banner,"  at  which  the  audience 

will  rise  and  sing  with  them. 

THE  END 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 
O  TomtRP  C001 


^   THE  PAGEANT  OF  THE  ILLINOIS  COUNTRY  SPRI 


30112025321347 

^^^^^••••iHBBHBHBI^H 


